A victim of this week’s terrorist bombing in Jerusalem succumbed to injuries sustained on Saturday, bringing the death toll to two.
Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada was seriously injured Wednesday morning in an explosion at a bus stop at the main entrance to Jerusalem. two bombings shook the capital.
A statement from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said trauma and intensive care teams “fought for his life but unfortunately his injuries were very serious”.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family,” the hospital added.
Ben Ma’ada’s family said they were grateful for the support they have received since the attack, but asked the public and media to respect their privacy.
Ben Ma’ada, 50, immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia 21 years ago. He leaves behind a wife and six children.
On November 23, 2022, the Israeli flag hangs at the entrance to Jerusalem where the bomb exploded earlier today. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Responding to news of Ben Ma’ada’s death, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to his family and praised the medical teams who treated him.
“Last week, I visited his devoted family, who embraced him with love, and the doctors who bravely fought for his life. I embrace the family at this difficult hour. “Rest in peace,” Netanyahu said on Twitter.
Outgoing prime minister Yair Lapid said he was “heartbroken” when he heard of Ben Ma’ada’s death.
The double attack in Jerusalem initially left one person dead and 22 injured. The first victim was named Aryeh Schupak, a 16-year-old dual Israeli-Canadian national and a yeshiva student from the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Aryeh Schupak, 16, died in a bomb attack at the entrance to Jerusalem, 23 November 2022. (Courtesy)
Police suspect that the explosions at the two bus stops were caused by nearly identical explosives, which were detonated from afar, hidden in the bushes behind the bus stops. According to police officials, the devices were packed with spikes to maximize casualties.
The first explosion at the bus stop at the entrance of the city caused the heaviest loss of life. The second slightly injured five at Ramot Junction.
The blasts came amid heightened tensions after a series of Palestinian attacks that have killed 29 people in Israel and the West Bank since the beginning of the year.
Emanuel Fabian contributed to this report.
