On February 1948, Abed Al Kader Al Huseini, commander in chief of the Arab forces in the Jerusalem area, decided to have abig attack in the heart of Jewish Jeruslaem. The task was assigned to six deserters British policemen and soldiers who worked with the Arabs. The deserters stole three trucks and one armored vehicle. In them the lay over a ton of explosives.
When coming to Jerusalem they hit a Jewish blockade, however it was meant to check only Arab vehicles and the British convoy was allowed to proceed without inspection.
The convoy arrived at the heart of Jerusalem, Ben Yehuda street. The terrorists activated the bombs and left the scene in the armored car.
The huge explosion occurred at 6:30 am bringing down 4 building, including two hotels the “Atlantic” and “Amdurski”, because of the early hour many were killed including whole families.
58 were killed and tens were wounded.