Terrorists strike Israelis in Kenya.
In simultaneous attacks, terrorists set off a car bomb in a hotel lobby in Kenya, murdering at least 7 civilians and injuring many more, and fired two surface to air missiles at an Israeli passenger jet. (*) The missiles both streaked past the plane and missed. It appears to have been a lucky break. The passengers suffered no casualties and the jet landed safely in Israel under fighter escort. The car bomb attack hit the Paradise Hotel in Kikambala, near Mombasa. The missile attack took place as the plane took off from Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. (†) CNN has reported that the missiles were SA-7 Strelas. They are relatively widely available in the arms market. Jerusalem Post has further coverage of the horror. (‡)
Additionally, a small plane is reported to have dropped three packages on the same hotel, which appeared to be bombs. There are no reports of injuries stemming from this particular thrust. (§)
I believe that these terrorist crimes were perpetrated by Al Qaeda. The coordinated nature of the attacks is the best indication of that. It would be the first time that Al Qaeda has attacked Israeli targets directly, though it is no surprise that they have done so. Like their other attacks, it is nothing more than savage barbarity. Al Qaeda must be hunted down and killed without mercy.