Second person dies of injuries days after Jerusalem bombing attack

Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada, 50, succumbs to his wounds, leaving behind a wife and six kids; PM-designate Netanyahu thanks medical teams ‘who bravely fought for his life’

By ToI Staff 26 November 2022, 7:39 pm 2 Edit

Tadasa Tashume Ben Ma'ada, 50, who was critically injured in a deadly bombing attack at the entrance to Jerusalem and later died at the hospital, on November 26, 2022. (Courtesy)

A victim of this week’s terror bombing in Jerusalem succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, raising the death toll from the attack to two.

Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada was critically injured in an explosion Wednesday morning at a bus stop at the main entrance to Jerusalem, one of two bombings that rattled the capital.

A statement from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said trauma and ICU teams “fought for his life but unfortunately his injuries were too serious.”

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family,” the hospital added.

Ben Ma’ada’s family said they were thankful for the support they’d received since the attack but asked the public and the 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.

The Israeli flag hangs at the scene where a bomb exploded earlier today at the entrance to Jerusalem, on November 23, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Responding to the reports of Ben Ma’ada’s death, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to the family and praised medical teams who had treated him.

“Last week, I visited his dedicated family, who wrapped him with love, and the doctors who bravely fought for his life. I embrace the family at this difficult hour. May he rest in peace,” Netanyahu said on Twitter.

Outgoing prime minister Yair Lapid said he was “heartbroken” to hear of Ben Ma’ada’s death.

The double attack in Jerusalem initially left one person dead and 22 others injured. The first victim was named as 16-year-old Aryeh Schupak, a yeshiva student from Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood, and a dual Israeli-Canadian national.

16-year-old Aryeh Schupak, killed in a bombing attack at the entrance of Jerusalem, November 23, 2022. (Courtesy)

Police suspect the explosions at two bus stops were caused by near-identical remotely detonated explosive devices hidden behind the bus stops in bushes. The devices were packed with nails to maximize casualties, according to police officials.

The first blast at the bus stop at the city entrance caused the most serious casualties. The second, at Ramot Junction, lightly hurt five.

The explosions came amid heightened tensions, following a series of Palestinian attacks that have left 29 people in Israel and the West Bank dead since the start of the year.

Emanuel Fabian contributed to this report.