A suicide attack is an attack in which the attacker or attackers intend and expect to die (see suicide). In a suicide attack in the strict sense the attacker dies by the attack itself, for example in an explosion or crash caused by the attacker. In a suicide attack in a wider sense, the attacker is sure or almost sure to die by the defense or retaliation of the attacked party.
In ancient times, an example of suicide attack is a killing by a dagger-wielding assassin, who is then killed by the victim's bodyguards, family (etc.) or tried and executed.
In modern times, such attacks are often carried out with the help of vehicles or explosive materials such as a bomb (a suicide bombing), or both (i.e. a vehicle loaded with explosives). If everything goes to plan, the attacker is killed upon impact or detonation.
More on [ Suicide attack ]

Erased In A Moment: Suicide Bombing Attacks Against Israeli Civilians - Human Rights Watch report examining suicide bombings and other attacks on civilians. Reviews international humanitarian law standards, describes the Palestinian armed groups and offers recommendations. Includes photo gallery and Hebrew translation.
Feminista! - The Women Suicide Bombers - Andrea Dworkin examines reasons why women become suicide bombers.
Mission Islam - Why We Have Become Suicide Bombers: Understanding Palestinian Terror - A psychiatrist's analysis of why Palestinians have turned to suicide bombing tactics.
Suicide and Other Bombing Attacks in Israel Since the Declaration of Principles (Sept 1993) - Chronology of bombing attacks against Israel. Provided by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Suicide Bombers - Examines why they kill themselves and others, and what Islam says about their actions.
Meta Description: [ What does Islamic law say about the legitimacy of suicide operations, whether in Israel and the Occupied Terrorities, or such as happened on 9/11? Is this method of attack a valid form of jihad? ]
The Culture of Martyrdom: How Suicide Bombing Became Not Just a Means But an End - David Brooks examines how suicide bombing has dramatically changed the nature of the conflict. From the Atlantic Monthly.
Meta Description: [ How suicide bombing became not just a means but an end ]
What Makes Suicide Bombers Tick? - Ellis Shuman describes the typical Palestinian suicide bomber and religious and social support for such acts. Links to related video and news articles.
Meta Description: [ What brings a young Palestinian to detonate himself amidst a crowd of teenagers? Is it a religious upbringing with promises of paradise in reward for acts of martyrdom? ]
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