(IsraelNN.com) The road on which the attack occurred is in an area under total PA security control, traveled by PA motorists only. Israeli civilian or military vehicles do not travel the road.
It is also believed the person who detonated the bomb which may have weighed about 100 kilograms (220 pounds) had visual contact and made the decision to detonate the blast only after being certain the vehicles passing were not PA motorists.
The vehicle hit by the blast was the third in the convoy, occupied by security personnel. Channel 2 TV reported the order of the vehicles was changed and it appears the terrorists were aiming for what should have been the diplomatic vehicle, not security personnel.
Shortly following the attack, rumors spread quickly that US Mideast envoy John Wolf was killed or injured in the attack. It was learned that Wolf was out of the country when today’s attack occurred.
The convoy also passed a PA checkpoint minutes ahead of the attack, perhaps the location where the lookout called ahead to inform the bomber of the convoy’s position and estimated time of arrival. The possibility that PA security personnel were involved is not being ruled out at this point in the investigation. The convoy was also led by a PA police vehicle which was permitted to pass the bomb location before the charge was detonated.
An organization appearing to represent various terror groups appears linked to the attack. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other terror organizations were quick to distance themselves from the attack. Israeli intelligence points to Hamas as the likely responsible party.
Film aired on Israeli media showed the immediate true response to the horrific attack. When American security personnel realized what had taken place, they stopped the other armor-plated GMC vehicles in the convoy and began getting out, assessing the situation. They were immediately pelted by stone-throwing PA residents in the area. PA police finally began firing their weapons to distance the mob.
Israel remains in close contact with US officials and FBI agents are expected to arrive to involve themselves in the investigation. US Ambassador Kurtzer also stated that the PA and Israel would play a role in the investigation.