On This Day In History – A suicide bomber blows herself up at the entrance to Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Market

Today in history On April 11, 2002 – A suicide bomber blows herself up at the entrance to Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Market, killing seven people and wounding 104

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance to the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, a bustling outdoor marketplace known for its fresh produce, spices, and vibrant crowds. The bombing occurred in the early afternoon, a time when the market was filled with shoppers preparing for the upcoming Sabbath. The attack killed seven people and injured over 100 others, some of them critically. It was one of the deadliest attacks during the height of the Second Intifada, a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence.

The bomber, a young Palestinian woman named Ayat al-Akhras, was just 18 years old and came from the Deheishe refugee camp near Bethlehem. She approached the entrance of the market wearing a belt packed with explosives and nails, designed to maximize the damage. A security guard, sensing something suspicious, confronted her near the market’s entrance, and it was at that moment that she detonated the bomb. His intervention likely prevented a higher death toll, as the crowded market would have been more devastating if she had entered further inside.

See also: Talmudic Values" Spark Debate: Von der Leyen's Statement Raises Questions on European Identity

The attack shocked both Israelis and Palestinians, not only because of its scale but because of the bomber’s identity. Al-Akhras was one of the youngest female suicide bombers at the time and had been considered a model student. Her actions were praised by militant groups such as Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, who claimed responsibility, but were widely condemned by the international community. The use of women in such attacks marked a disturbing evolution in the tactics of militant organizations.

See also: Iran, US to Start Talks on Nuclear Programme in Oman Amid Regional Conflict

In the immediate aftermath, Israel tightened security across Jerusalem and the West Bank, conducting raids, imposing curfews, and sealing off Palestinian areas in an attempt to prevent further attacks. The bombing came at a time of frequent violence, with a string of suicide bombings striking Israeli cities. Just days later, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield, a large-scale military operation in the West Bank aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and curbing the wave of attacks against Israeli civilians. The Mahane Yehuda Market bombing left a lasting scar on Jerusalem. The site of the attack was later memorialized, and the market continues to operate today, though with heightened security. For many Israelis, it became a symbol of the Second Intifada’s brutality, highlighting the vulnerability of everyday public spaces. The bombing also intensified debates within Israel and the international community about the causes of the conflict, the role of Palestinian militant factions, and the urgent need for a political resolution to the ongoing violence.

See also: Lady Gaga Steals the Show at Coachella: Singer Brings the House Down with Electrifying Performance