Seven people were killed and dozens injured when a Palestinian suicide bomber set off a powerful bomb that ripped apart an "Egged" bus at about 7:05 A.M. Wednesday near the Israeli Arab town of Umm al Fahm, close to the West Bank.
The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for this attack.
PA
For its part, the Palestinian Authority condemned it, saying in an official statement "The Palestinian leadership condemns the Umm al Fahm operation and urges (Palestinians) not to harm civilians within Israel."
The Palestinian Authority added that "World public opinion, which stood beside the Palestinians against the Israeli offensive against Palestinian civilians, will never accept Palestinians attacking civilians within Israel, even though the Israeli side continues with its blocades and assassinations against civilians.
"We urge against carrying out any operations against civilians in Israel, in order to avoid hampering the international efforts and those of (U.S. envoy) General (Anthony) Zinni towards implementation of a cease-fire and the Tenet understandings. We must not grant extremists in Israel an excuse for continuing their aggression against our people."
Israel
Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened his security cabinet Wednesday morning, altering a scheduled agenda in order to discuss Israel's response to the suicide bombing.
According to Haaretz, assessments are that Israel will refrain from a harsh military response to the bombing, in order to avoid harming the chances of the current Bush administration truce initiative.
The security cabinet meeting was planned prior to the bombing attack, and was to have been devoted to an annual intelligence assessment presented by Military Intelligence, the Shin Bet security service, and the Mossad intelligence agency.
Details of Attack
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in an Israeli bus early Wednesday at the Musmus junction not far from the Arab town of Umm al Fahm.
Out of the seven dead, four were Israeli soldiers. Israeli Arabs were also wounded, Israeli media reports indicated.
Hospitals admitted 28 wounded, of whom two were in critical condition and at least seven more in moderate to serious condition, hospital officials said.
The large quantity of explosives carried by the bomber, who was also killed in the blast, left the bus a twisted, charred hulk.
Israeli police said the suicide bomber bordered the bus in the Wadi Ara area, a largely Israeli Arab region near the West Bank, and situated on the main highway between Hadera and Afula, cities hard hit by Palestinian attacks in recent months.
The bomber, moving to the center of the bus, detonated the device shortly after he boarded, police said.
Israel Radio said the bus was traveling from Tel Aviv to Nazareth, and that the blast caused extensive damage to the bus.
The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing attack. It identified the bomber as Rafat Abu Dik, 20, a resident of Jenin.
The bombing attack came as Israelis and Palestinians were attempting to work out a Mideast cease-fire under the mediation of US envoy Anthony Zinni.
A few hours after the suicide bombing attack, shots were fired at an Israeli vehicle near El-Fawar in the Mount Hebron area.
There were no reports of injuries in this attack, which took place south of Beit Hagai settlement, although the vehicle reportedly sustained some damage.
An Israeli motorist was wounded in a shooting attack south of Nablus Wednesday afternoon.
The occupant of the vehicle, apparently an Israeli Arab, sustained minor wounds in the attack which took place near the village of Hawara, according to Israel Radio.
An Israeli helicopter has been summoned to he the area to evacuate the individual, the Radio reported.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
