Hundreds of young Israelis filled the dance floor of the popular "City Hall" nightclub in Haifa late Thursday night, not knowing that at the very same time security forces were apprehending two Islamic Jihad terrorists on their way to launch a suicide bombing attack at the club. Despite their success in preventing the Haifa attack, Israeli police and security forces remain on high alert due to warnings of additional terrorist bombings.

The Islamic Jihad terrorists, Samir Fatah Rida Tubasi, 19, who was to blow himself up at the nightclub, and Azzam Nabil Said Diab, 24, who was to guide Tubasi to his destination, intended to emulate the bombing of the Dolphinarium discotheque in Tel Aviv on June 1, in which 21 Israelis, most of them teenagers, were killed.

Before the terrorists could reach Haifa, Israel's special

"We knew exactly who to expect and in what car he would be arriving." - Border Police commander Jihad Kabalan

anti-terrorism unit, Yamam, was alerted to "hot" warnings about their plans. "At around 9 p.m., we received more specific information from the Shin Bet security service about an infiltration in the area," said Commander Jihad Kabalan, the Border Police chief in Israel's north. "We knew exactly who to expect and in what car he would be arriving."

The bomber and his accomplice were apprehended on the outskirts of Baka al-Garbiah, an Israeli Arab village. The two were forced to leave the car and strip completely before security forces approached their car. During the initial interrogation, Israeli security forces learned that their bomb was in a black bag, on the back seat of the vehicle in which the terrorists were planning to drive to Haifa.

The explosive device the terrorists were transporting was a ten-kilogram bomb, about four times larger than the one used at the Dolphinarium. According to media reports, the bomb was filled with explosives and 5.56mm bullets to cause maximum casualties in the attack. A security robot was sent to investigate the device, and shortly after 4:30 in the morning, the bomb was detonated in a controlled explosion that rocked the village and shot debris in a large radius.

The terrorists were sent on their mission by Mahmoud Ahmad Tualbeh, the main Islamic Jihad master bomber from Jenin who has allegedly sent at least six suicide bombers into Israel. Tualbeh's brother, Morad, was apprehended in July on his way to bomb the Carmelit subway in Haifa. The Islamic Jihad was behind the Binyamina suicide bombing attack in mid-July and last week's bombing at the "Wall Street" café in Kiryat Motzkin.

Diab, who was chosen by Tualbeh to guide Tubasi to the "City Hall" nightclub, had worked illegally in Haifa over the past few years and was well acquainted with the city and its entertainment centers. "I know he used to hang out in the City Hall as well," kiosk owner Ahsan Zabideth told Yediot Aharonot, claiming that he knew Diab.

Shlomi Mangar, manager of the "City Hall," does not rule out the possibility that Tubasi may have spent time inside the nightclub as well. "We live here in a very mixed environment," he said. "Israeli Arabs also come into the club. If a guy like this, who worked in the area and was known by people, came here, we probably would have let him in."

Even so, Mangar was quick to point out that he doubted a suicide bomber could have entered "City Hall" due to the stringent security inspections at the club's entrance. Mangar also told Israeli Channel 2 television reporters that audience control outside the club was well organized and an attack similar to that at the Tel Aviv discotheque would not have been as lethal in Haifa. "Even so, an attack which kills one [person] is still an attack," he said.

Mangar said he had only one thing to say to the security forces, and that was "Thank you." The "City Hall" nightclub was practically empty over the weekend as a result of the thwarted attack. According to Mangar, Haifa's nightlife has experienced a difficult period lately, and even if he added additional security guards, he wasn't sure if the crowds would return to the club. "We must continue to have fun, because this is our life," he added.

Security forces remain on alert
Following repeated warnings of potential bombing attacks, Israeli police and security forces went on high alert already on Thursday morning. Roadblocks were set up throughout Israel's north, with specific attention focused on Haifa, Afula and Hadera, three favorite targets of suicide bombers.

Even after the capture of the two Islamic Jihad terrorists, security forces remain on alert. According to information gathered by intelligence services, additional suicide bombers are ready to launch attacks on Israeli targets. Maariv reported today that security forces believe that explosive devices have already been prepared for additional attacks. According to the report, the main obstacle preventing the bombings is the strengthened presence of the IDF around the city of Jenin.

In additional to the security alert in the north, intelligence reports state that the Hamas is planning bombing attacks in the center of the country. Over the weekend, the IDF tightened its closure of Kalkilya based on reports that terrorists there were planning attacks on Tel Aviv. Ramallah also was tightly blockaded to prevent terrorists from leaving the city and causing attacks similar to the strike at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem ten days ago.

An unidentified masked Islamic Jihad terrorist was shown on Israeli television over the weekend, declaring in the name of his organization that they "were willing to be the first suicide bombers. We are competing to see who will be first," he said.

© 2001 Koret Communications Ltd. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.