Israeli woman, husband killed in Morocco bombing

China-based couple travelling in Morocco among 16 people killed in suicide attack in Marrakech café on Thursday. Woman was in late stages of pregnancy. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemns terrorist attack

Roi Anteby|Last update: 04.29.11 , 09:54

An Israeli woman and her Jewish husband, who have been residing in China for the past few years, were killed in a suicide bombing in Morocco on Thursday. A total of 16 people were killed in the attack.

Michal Weizman Zikri, 30, and her husband Massoud, 32, were visiting Massoud's father in the country to celebrate Passover.

They were in a café in Marrakech when a suicide bomber detonated a bomb in the site on Thursday.

Israel's Consul General in Shanghai Jackie Eldan said the two were parents to a 3-year-old boy, David Yosef. Michal was was six months pregnant. Massoud worked in export and import.

The two were visiting his parents in Casablanca and had taken a day trip to Marrakech, leaving their 3-year-old son with his grandparents.

"They took a day off to go to Marrakech and left the child with the family. To their misfortune, they were in the cafe on the second floor" when the bombing hit, Eldan told Israeli station Army Radio on Friday.

"They're a wonderful couple, among the pillars of the Jewish community in Shanghai," Eldan said. "This is a terrible blow to the community, a very painful loss. They were socially active and maintained close ties with Israel."

Café in Marrakech where attack took place (Photo: AP)

A Moroccan minister said all signs point to al-Qaeda as being responsible for the attack.

A massive terrorist bombing tore through a tourist cafe in the bustling heart of Marrakech's old quarter on Thursday in the country's deadliest attack in eight years.

At least 20 people were wounded in the blast a few minutes before noon in Djemma el-Fna square, one of the top attractions in a country that depends heavily on tourism, Moroccan Interior Minister Taib Chergaoui said.

Scene of terror attack (Photo: AP)

At least eight French citizens were being treated at Marrakech's main Tofail Hospital, along with one Canadian, a British citizen and three Moroccans, emergency room chief Hicham Nejmi said. Others were being treated at a military hospital and a handful in private clinics.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that "the United States condemns in the strongest terms today's terrorist attack that killed and injured innocent people at a cafe in Marrakech, Morocco. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this cowardly attack and stand with the people of Morocco at this difficult time."

The UN Security Council condemned the attack "in the strongest terms" and expressed condolences, while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "appalled by today's bombing" and extended his "deepest sympathies," according to statements.