Blast survivor: There is a God
Witnesses to Thursday's terror attack in Tel Aviv recount moments of horror; one man says book of Psalms saved him
"This is a miracle, its proof that there is a creator of the universe," said Itzik Sharon, 36, owner of the shawarma stand blown up by the bomber.
Wounded arrive at hospital (Video: Danny Dagan)
Dozens of people were injured in the attack, one of them seriously, while the others sustained light to moderate wounds. Security authorities believe that not all of the explosives detonated in the attack.
"It was a normal working day," said Sharon, describing the moments before the blast. "Suddenly, a guy walks in, without talking, wearing a ski hat, without a bag or jacket, and within seconds he blew himself up. I looked at him for a few seconds and he looked a little suspicious to me. I turned my head to the other side, and he exploded," Sharon added.
"Immediately after the explosion, I looked for the way out. I saw that my brother was okay, and nothing else interested me at that time, other than getting out. I always thought about situations like this, but I didn't want to believe it could happen," he said.
'Thank God something worse didn't happen'
Ben Friedman, 29, arrived at the stand for his usual meal. He said the terrorist raised suspicion as he entered the shop: “I finished work and stopped to have something to eat. I headed in the direction of the old bus station and a man carrying a big bag asked if I wanted to buy a razor. I answered no and entered the place. The same man was the terrorist, I am sure. What’s easier than getting into a restaurant as someone who has been going around trying to sell things?”
Friedman added: “When I entered the shawarma shop, I saluted the members of staff who know me. I paid and as soon as I headed out going past the razors’ seller I heard an explosion. Everything looked black within a second and a smell of death was everywhere. I saw at least one dismembered body. I was in shock for some minutes. I had no clue what to do and started to move away towards the kitchen.”
Blood-stained wall (Photo: AP)
Friedman said a book of Psalms in his bag saved him. "Two weeks ago, I began a process of becoming more religious, and this book of Psalms I am holding now is what saved me. I was injured in my back, and if the bag would not have been on me, I would have been wounded much more seriously. You can see that the bag is completely ripped. My back hurts, but what frightens me is psychological problems, because the images of what was there are not leaving me," he said.
Friedman said he had a "near miss" during the terror attack at the Carmel market in Tel Aviv a year and a half ago. "It seems God still doesn't want me beside him. Three minutes after I left the Carmel market, there was an explosion, and I was saved from that by a miracle too."
Tzvi Izikovitch, 77, a security guard, went to buy food at the stand during his lunch break. "I went to eat there, its kosher shawarma," he said. "There is a picture of Rabbi Lau and even prayers on the walls. Suddenly there was a powerful explosion, the ceiling caved in, and I fell. Police and ambulances came very quickly. They gave me some shots and I hope everything will be okay," said he said.
Worried family members came to meet Izikovitch at hospital, where he assured them: "Everything is alright. You have nothing to worry about, it's okay. Thank God it wasn't such a terrible thing, I saw everyone around me was healthy and in one piece, and thank God something worse didn't happen there."
Typical injuries
Dr Harry Shamis, manager of the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv said: “The injuries are characteristic of terror attacks. Most injured suffered shrapnel wounds to the body to the exception of one person who sustained eye injuries."
Most of the injured are expected to be released from hospital by Friday.
Benny Hassidi, the owner of a shop near the attack said: “That’s the fourth attack I witness here. A loud explosion was heard and people shouted ‘Gas Balloon, Gas Balloon’. I wanted to help but I couldn’t. All tables were tuned upside-down and one body was stuck to a table.”
Yekhiel Ohana, a Bat Yam resident who was at the scene of the explosion with a friend, said he saw the suicide bomber before entering the shawarma place. “I saw a man wearing a black jacket and a ski hat. He had a beard. He stood at the entrance, looked in all directions and hesitated. He did not know where to go. He entered the shawarma and I heard the explosion.”
