Double Shock for Israel: 15 Dead

The Israeli military radio announced that the attacks were suicide attacks. The buses were crowded with parents and children doing their final shopping before the new school year starts. The blasts have broken a five-month period of relative silence and are the first such incidents to occur in Beer Seva. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that his government would carry on the "fight against terrorism" to the end.

The Palestinian government has condemned the bombings. Palestinian Cabinet Member, Saib Erekat, told Reuters news agency the "Palestinian government condemns any attacks aiming at Israeli or Palestinian civilians." It has been reported that the attacks will probably cause trouble for Sharon who is striving to raise a withdrawal plan from Gaza." Sharon had declared that the withdrawal plan draft will be presented to the parliament on November 3.