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Passover Massacre

The Passover Massacre was a Palestinian suicide bombing in Park Hotel at Netanya on March 27, 2002. The attack claimed the life of 30 Israeli civilians and was the trigger to Operation Defensive Shield.

The massacre

The massacre occurred on the night of March 27, where Jews all over the world celebrated the traditional holiday of Passover. Park Hotel in Netanya held a big Passover dinner for its 250 guests in the ground-floor dinning room. A Palestinian suicide bomber entered the hotel dining room and detonated a large explosive device he carried upon himself. 28 people were immediately killed, and about 140 were injured. Two of the injured later died from their wounds.

Reactions

Leaders from around the world denounced the massacre as an immoral terrorist act. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his cabinet ordered the immediate recruit of 20,000 reservist in an emergency call-up and in the following day launched Operation Defensive Shield.

The victims

See also: Terrorism against Israel