'Israeli among the dead' in Mali hotel attack

An Israeli man was among those killed in the Mali hotel attack, his community said Saturday, and the foreign ministry said that another Israeli had been safely rescued.

"The Zur Hadassah local committee joins in the deep grief of the Benalal family at the murder of Shmuel in the terror attack in the Malian capital," a statement from the administrators of the town near Jerusalem read.

The foreign ministry, which has no diplomatic ties with Mali, could not immediately confirm Shmuel Benalal's death, but noted that another Israeli had escaped the attack unharmed.

Jihadists had on Friday besieged the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako, shooting people in the corridors and taking 170 guests and staff hostage.

The assault, which ended when Malian and international forces stormed the hotel, left 19 people dead, mostly foreigners.

The victims also included six Russians, three Chinese, two Belgians, an American and a Senegalese.

Benalal was the president of Telos Group, a "consulting company that specialises in the international development of education," according to the Mandel School for Educational Leadership, where he had directed training programmes.

He was in Mali as a consultant to the government on education, Israeli officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Media reports in Israel said Benalal was 60 years old, and is survived by a wife and three sons.

Although Israel and Mali have no diplomatic relations, Israelis can travel and work there.

The German embassy coordinated between Mali and Israel in identifying the body, which as of late Saturday was still in Bamako.
Source: AFP