February 14, 2001

A Palestinian bus driver with Israeli security service clearance to transport Palestinian workers to their jobs in Israel drops off his passengers in Holon, then rams his vehicle into a bus stop full of Israelis, killing 7 IDF soldiers, 1 Israeli civilian, severely injuring 17 Israelis, mostly soldiers. In response, Israel seals the West Bank border with Jordan, the Gaza border with Egypt; closes Gaza airport; tightens the closure on Palestinian villages; suspends VIP travel privileges for PA officials. (HA, REU 2/14; AFP, ATL, MENA 2/14 in WNC 2/15; NYT, WP, WT 2/15)