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Islamic Jihad owns suicide explosion

Atul Aneja

Attack dampens peace hopes

DUBAI: A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up outside a shopping mall in the northern Israeli town of Netanya, killing at least five persons and wounding 35.

Eyewitnesses said the assailant detonated his explosives among people who had queued up outside the mall entrance for a mandatory security check. Police sealed the area, fearing a second bomber might be at large. The attack was the fifth since the cease-fire declaration, and the first suicide bombing in Israel after October 26.

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the bombing, identifying the attacker as a resident of a northern West Bank village. In a telephone call to a television station, Islamic Jihad named the assailant as Lutfi Amin Abu Salem.

"Rein in militants"

The blast was likely to dampen hopes about the revival of peacemaking following the recent decision by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to form a new party that was expected to show greater flexibility in talks.

David Baker, an official at Mr. Sharon's office lashed out at the Palestinian Authority for its inability to rein in militants. "They refuse to dismantle the terror organisations and put them out of business once and for all. And we've seen these results today in Netanya."

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the attack. "I believe that this harms Palestinian interests".

AP reports:

In Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack and promised a harsh response. ``This operation against civilians causes the most serious harm to our commitment to the peace process and the Palestinian Authority will not go easy on whoever is proved to be responsible,'' said a statement.

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