Bus bombing in Jerusalem

After having a few friends inquire if we are ok, we decided to put out a short post.  Today, a little before 6 pm Israel time, a bus caught on fire due to a bomb in the back of the bus in southern Jerusalem not far from where we live.  A second (empty) bus and a private car also caught on fire.  There were no deaths (Praise God), but 16 injuries - 2 of them severe.  

At first it was deemed a terror attack, then possibly a technical malfunction, then it was confirmed to be a bomb.  

"The police hesitation was cleared up by the director of the emergency care unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem where the wounded were treated, who estimated that it was indeed an attack.  'Some of the wounds of the victims who arrived to us are from nails and bolts that penetrated their bodies. It gives the impression of wounds from a terror attack,' determined the doctor." (Arutz Sheva News)

The Jerusalem mayor also confirmed that it was a bomb, and for everyone to be vigilant.  They are searching for suspects, while also wondering if one of the seriously wounded individuals could have been the attacker, as no one has come to inquire about him, and he has no identification on him.

We were on a bus on the way home from work when Jim saw the smoke plume, and then we started getting alerts on our phones of a bus explosion.

Please be in prayer for the injured and their loved ones.  Please also pray for the Israeli security forces, especially as we enter into the Pesach (Passover) season beginning Friday evening at sundown for a week.  There were hints of concern of attacks during Pesach, and now security will be even tighter than they already had planned. Please also pray for people to be vigilant, but not afraid. That is a main component of "terror" attacks.  Most Israelis are resilient, but that doesn't mean that some people won't be afraid.

Oh, and by the way, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) discovered a tunnel today coming from Gaza into Israel......

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 

'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; 

for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.'" 

Zechariah 2:8