Immediately afterwards, the assailants opened fire and threw hand grenades at the passengers.

The attack was claimed by the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and coordinated with Fatah.

[4] On Tuesday afternoon, 16 July 2002, three armed Palestinians militants disguised as Israeli soldiers planted a roadside bomb beside the road leading to the Jewish settlement of Immanuel, about 200 meters before the entrance to the town.

[5][6] At about 15:00 an armored Dan bus line 189, en route to Immanuel from Bnei Brak, approached the site as the roadside bomb exploded.

The assailants fired small arms at the bus and threw hand grenades at the passengers through its roof and windows.