A second person has died after the double-bombing in Jerusalem this week, succumbing to his injuries suffered during one of the blasts.
Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada, 50, suffered critical injuries in an explosion that occurred at a bus stop at the main entrance to Israel's capital early on Wednesday morning, an attack that also took the life of 16-year-old Aryeh Schupak.
On Saturday, the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said in a statement that trauma and ICU teams “fought for his life but unfortunately his injuries were too serious.”
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family."
Ben Ma’ada emigrated to Israel from Ethiopia 21 years ago, and he leaves behind a wife and six children.
Jerusalem Bus attck GettyImages-1245011691
Forensics officers working at the scene of one of the attacks (Getty Images)
His family said in a statement that they were grateful for the support that they had received since the bombing on Wednesday, and asked the media and the public to respect their privacy.
Prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to the family, who he said he had met at the hospital last week after the attack.
Netanyahu wrote on Twitter: "On behalf of all the citizens of Israel, I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada, who was mortally wounded in an attack at the entrance to Jerusalem and died of his wounds at the end of the week.
"Last week I visited his devoted family who surrounded him with love, and the doctors who fought valiantly for his life. I hug the family at this difficult time. Of blessed memory."
Ben Ma’ada's passing brings the death toll in the terror attack to two, after 16-year-old Aryeh Schupak lost his life on Wednesday in the first explosion at 07:05, near a bus station at the Givat Sha'ul Junction on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Another 14 people were injured at the scene and taken for medical treatment.
A second explosion was heard at 07:35 near Ramot Junction in Jerusalem, near the bus station there. Three people were injured at the scene and evacuated for medical treatment.
Aryeh Shtsupak
Aryeh Shtsupak, age 16, was killed in the Jerusalem bombings this week
According to The Times of Israel, Israeli police suspect that the bombs were remotely-detonated after being placed in bushed behind the bus stops. The bombs contained nails in order to maximise the number of injuries and casualties, police officials said.
Speaking to the JC, deputy mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum said: “We believe the terrorists are homegrown in Jerusalem radicalised by extremist groups."
Hassan-Nahoum also called on Palestinian authorities to change attitudes and end the policy of 'pay for slay' of the Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund.
She added: "We need to put a stop once and for all to a culture of hatred and murder; an educational curriculum that is educating children to hate and kill and that is being funded by the whole world through UNRWA. And the pay for slay policy of the Palestinian Authority that gives a life’s pension for every murdered Jew.”
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