A Palestinian suicide bomber turned a packed bus in northern Israel into a fireball yesterday, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens.
Hours later, a Palestinian opened fire at an Israeli telephone truck in a Palestinian market in East Jerusalem in an attack in which three people, including the gunman, were killed, police said.
The powerful blast on a Galilee country road tore gaping holes in the sides and roof of the inter-city bus crowded with civilians and soldiers returning to base during the morning rush hour at the start of the Israeli work week.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Witnesses and rescue workers said the explosion ignited an inferno that blazed for 10 minutes before the fire brigade arrived.
"There were mangled bodies everywhere," Nissim Hozeh, a fireman, told reporters. Pieces of clothing, including army uniforms and bags littered the ground for meters.
"We can say for certain that it was a suicide bomber," Galilee police chief Yehuda Solomon told Channel One television.
In a statement issued in Gaza, the militant group Hamas said it had carried out the bombing in further revenge for an Israeli air raid on July 22 that killed its military commander Salah Shehada, his deputy and 13 other Palestinians.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the bus attack, but said in a statement that Israel's policy of "mass detentions, repressive measures and home demolitions" was responsible for the cycle of violence.
The bombing flew in the face of stepped up Israeli military action in the West Bank, including the demolition of nine homes of relatives of Palestinian suicide bombers and other gunmen, action which Israel said was aimed at deterring future attacks.
The Hamas statement said a "martyr" blew up the bus, but added that the group would not release the bomber's name to ensure Israel could not punish his relatives.
"I am distressed to hear about the latest suicide bombers in Israel," US President George W. Bush told reporters in Kennebunkport, Maine, where he is spending a holiday weekend.
"There are a few killers who want to stop the peace process that we have started. We must not let them," Bush added, wagging his finger. "I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers."
Outside the Damascus Gate to East Jerusalem's Old City, police exchanged fire with a 19-year-old Palestinian who shot dead an Israeli in a telephone truck. The gunman and a Palestinian passerby were killed, police said.
"We saw somebody standing by a truck. He leaned into the window. He had a pistol," said Carl Williams, 33, on holiday from Boston. "When I saw that, I got out of here and hit the ground and immediately we heard gunshots."
Rescue workers said at least 14 people were wounded.
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