Terrorists hit Jerusalem bus stop

A bomb exploded near a bus stop in downtown Jerusalem Wednesday afternoon killing one and injuring 50. Haaretz reports the bomb was tied to a pole just outside the International Convention Center and across the street from the central bus station, one of the busiest transit points in the city.

This attack marks the first time that buses have been targeted by terrorists in Jerusalem since 2004. During the second intifada buses and bus stops were repeatedly hit resulting in massive casualties, inflicting fear on any who traveled through the city.

The bombing culminates a weeklong escalation of tension in southern Israel as terrorists from Gaza fired rockets upon Israeli cities and Israel responded with air strikes into Gaza.

“No country would be prepared to absorb protracted missile fire on its cities and civilians, and of course the State of Israel is not prepared to,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in parliament, speaking of this escalation.

“It could be that this matter will entail exchanges of blows, and it may take a certain period of time, but we are very determined to strike at the terrorist elements and deny them the means of attacking our citizens.”