Israeli soldiers targeted by 68-year-old suicide bomber

A totally new phenomenon has occurred in the Middle East, the suicide bombing granny. She is said to be 57 years old by the IDF but other sources have placed her age as nearer to 68.

Fatma Omar A-Najar blew herself up leaving behind nine children and over forty grandchildren.

Najar's son Jihad told Haaretz that "a martyr's death is permitted for all, women and men." He said his father, Yusuf, died roughly one year ago but that his mother had been very politically involved prior to his death.

"She couldn't remain indifferent to the occupation: the destruction, the death, the invasions of Gaza, all of these pushed her to carry out an 'act of sacrifice,'" he said.

"She participated in women's marches in Beit Hanun to protect the militants in Nasser mosque, and participated in many Hamas activities," Najar said. "She brought great honor to us and the homeland. She connected all of us to the struggle."

Press reports are saying that the Israelis destroyed her house, although I am unable to ascertain if this took place before or after the bombing. It is commonplace for the Israelis to carry out acts of collective punishment on the homes of suicide bombers by destroying them.

Meanwhile Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Fatah, offered to stop firing rockets into Israel in exchange for a cessation of attacks on Gaza and the West Bank. It is the first time that all Palestinian factions and militant groups have agreed a proposal. It will be put to Israel.

The Israelis have always said they would continue their Gaza offensive until the rocket fire stopped. The Palestinians are now offering to stop this very same rocket fire.

Israel have yet to respond. I'm not holding my breath.

tag: suicide bombing granny, Gaza, Israel, Palestine