A vehicle packed with explosives rammed into the Paradise hotel in Kikambala, 15 miles of Mombassa, just as a busload of Israeli tourists was checking in.

The attack claimed the lives of 15 people including 3 Israelis, two of them young girls. 80 people were injured- 17 of them Israelis.

A terrorist movement called ´The Army of Palestine-General Command´ has claimed responsibility for the attack.

2 Israeli ´Hercules´ aircrafts have set out to Mombassa in order to assist in the evacuation of the injured and to bring the Israelis home.

Two missiles were fired at an Israeli Arkia aircraft

Close to 05:35 this morning (November 28, 2002) an Arkia aircraft landed in Mombassa carrying 260 passengers. Take-off was scheduled to take place 08:00 am. The plane took off as planned. 1.5 min after take-off at 3000 ft in the air, there received a report of two missiles being launched towards the aircraft.

Passengers, noticed a trail of smoke, and sensed a blow to the aircraft. No severe damage was observed. The blow to the aircraft seemed to be from the shock of the flying missiles and not from a direct hit.

The missiles fired at the plane are of model ´STARLA SA-7´ of Soviet produce, effective range of 4-6 km.

After conducting searches in the area, though not yet proven, a jeep was seen leaving the area. 400 m from the airport fence, were found particles of the 2 missiles launched in the area. (www.idf.il ©Copyright IDF 1996-2002 11/28/02)