Seven Israelis were killed and at least 20 others were injured when an explosive device was detonated and shots were fired Tuesday afternoon near a bus close to the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel.
Eight people were in serious condition, according to Israeli media reports.
"A roadside device detonated as a bus was passing near the Immanuel settlement, and shooting then followed," said police spokesman Rafi Yaffe.
According to reports, the bus was first hit by several roadside devices, and passengers were then fired on as they left the vehicle. The attackers who fired on the bus were dressed in Israeli army uniforms.
Israel's Channel Two television said that the injured were not only from the bus, but from a vehicle that was driving ahead of it.
The attack took place shortly after 15:00 (12:00 GMT), south-west of the West Bank city of Nablus.
The bus attacked was No. 189. It departed from the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, at around 14:15 (11:15).
Israel immediately blamed the Palestinian Authority for the attack. "Israeli civlians continue to be the choice targets of Palestinian terrorists," said David Baker, a spokesman for the government, calling the attack "further proof that the Palestinian Authority considers terrorism a primary mode of operation."
"Basically we see that nothing has changed. Anytime that the Palestinians see that there is some chance for progress in the peace process, this is what they do," said Arye Mekel, another government spokesman.
In separate statements, the military wings of Fatah and Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. Additionally, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said it had carried out the attack.
The Palestinian Authority, in a statement, condemned the attack, saying it "rejects targeting civilians, whether they are Israelis or Palestinians." The statement said the solution to the conflict is for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian areas.
U.S. President Bush also condemned the attack, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
"This underscores the importance of focusing on peace and working with leaders in the Palestinian Authority who are dedicated to peace," he said.
Tuesday's attack was similar to an ambush, placed by a Hamas member, on a bus outside Emmanuel last December in which 10 Israelis were killed.
Other incidents
The Palestinian arrested in Jenin Monday night for plotting to carry out a suicide attack is a woman, Israeli media reports said. She was questioned by the Shin Bet, Israel's General Security Agency, the report added. Israeli sources, however, said it does not appear the woman was caught in action, but rather was still planning the attack.
Meanwhile, shots were fired near Neve Dekalim settlement in the Gaza Strip Tuesday morning. No injuries have been reported at this time. Shots were fired at the same location during Monday night, Israeli sources said. No injuries were reported in that incident either.
In the West Bank, an Israeli soldier fired at a Palestinian in a gas station in Alphei Menashe settlement, near the city of Qalqilya. The Palestinian was lightly injured. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
