Neve Shaanan Street bombing

On the evening of Wednesday, 17 July 2002, at approximately 22:10, two Palestinian suicide bombers detonated explosive belts roughly 20 meters apart on Neve Sha'anan Street in Tel Aviv, near the Old Tel Aviv Central Bus Station. Each bomber carried explosives totaling about 33 kilograms (73 lb), packed with shrapnel and nails intended to maximize injuries to bystanders.

Three people were killed immediately by the force of the blasts, and around 40 others were injured. Two additional victims later died of their injuries in the days following the attack, bringing the total death toll to five. The Palestinian Islamist militant organization Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the coordinated double bombing.

The attack drew swift condemnation from multiple parties. A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated that "The Palestinian Authority continues to do nothing to stop the murderous attacks launched from its territory." The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) also denounced the bombing, saying it "condemns operations targeting civilians, whether they are Palestinians or Israelis."

At the international level, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the incident and urged both sides not to allow the violence to derail ongoing peace efforts. In the United States, White House spokesman Scott McClellan described the attack as "a despicable act of terrorism which we strongly condemn."

The bombing occurred amid a period of recurring suicide attacks in Israel during the Second Intifada, with the Old Tel Aviv Central Bus Station area being targeted due to its high pedestrian traffic.