Tel Aviv, March 6: Israeli troops smashed a hotel siege “by Arab guerillas yesterday in a battle that left 14 dead — seven terrorists, four hostages and three Israeli soldiers,” the Israeli command said.
After a day of confusion and various official announcements on casualties and hostages, Maj. Gen. Shlomo Gazit, Chief of Military Intelligence, put the final death toll at 14. One guerilla was taken alive.
“The eight guerillas stormed ashore late last night, grabbed hostages and shot their way into the cheap Savoy Hotel on the road to Jaffa, Tel Aviv’s neighbouring Israeli Arab township.
Some reports said as many as 40 hostages were held throughout the night until Israeli troops burst into the building at dawn in a crescendo of gunfire and explosions.
The Israeli attack was thought to have ended the drama — the first of its kind experienced by Tel Aviv. x
But fresh firing broke out at about noon as troops combed the hotel and surrounding area.
In a brief flurry of fighting one guerilla was overpowered and captured alive and another was shot dead.
The Israeli Military Command said some of the hostages were killed in an explosion set off by the guerillas.
Published – March 07, 2025 02:53 am IST