Bombers and Bystanders in Suicide Attacks in Israel, 2000 to 2003

• NCJ Number: 213728
• Journal: Studies in Conflict & Terrorism Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2006 Pages: 187-206
• Author(s): Mark Harrison
• Date Published: March 2006
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined how the actions of "bystanders" (civilians and security personnel) to prevent suicide bombers from reaching their intended targets affected the number of casualties in 103 suicide attacks in Israel between November 2000 and November 2003.

Abstract

In 40 out of the 103 incidents, civilians or military and security personnel became suspicious of the suicide bomber at a location and time that kept the bomber from detonating his/her bomb at the time and place intended by his/her handlers. In a number of these interventions, it was clear that the bomber intended to achieve detonation at a place (a mall, cafe, or bus) and a time (when crowds would be present) that would achieve a large number of deaths and injuries. This study calculated that the number of victims spared death or injury in such interventions, taking other variables as given, was 18 per incident across the entire dataset and more than 30 per incident for operations conducted by Hamas. Although in most interventions the bomber still succeeded in detonating his/her bomb, usually killing those who intervened, the detonation occurred at a place and time that was less damaging than intended by the planners. Suggestions for further research include the nature of the qualities and actions of bystanders who die to save others and a more detailed investigation of the contexts and consequences of citizens' responses. Data for this study were obtained from the database of terrorist actions in the Arab-Israeli conflict maintained by the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzlia, Israel. This database provide details on terrorist attacks in Israel since September 2000. Data include the date and place of the attack; the type of attack; the character of the target and device used; the organizational affiliation of the attackers; and the number of victims killed and injured. 7 tables, 2 figures, and 22 notes