A suicide bomber exploded in a crowded neighborhood of downtown Tel Aviv on Monday killing at least eight and injuring 60 others, 15 of whom seriously.
The massive explosion, which could be felt in neighboring buildings, occurred Monday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. local time, near a falafel stand in the Neve Shaanan section of the city where crowds had gathered to eat.
Ambulances reportedly rushed to the scene to evacuate the wounded, according to Israeli radio.
In recent days Israeli authorities have reported numerous of leads to possible attacks against Israelis. Another suicide bomber blew himself up on January 19 outside the same falafel stand, wounding 20.
Palestinian response
Shortly after the attack, an unnamed spokesman for Hamas said that the bombing was a justified an act of self-defense in the face of Israeli military aggression.
However, Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, stressed that such attacks ultimately harmed Palestinian interests.
"I condemn this attack on behalf of (Palestinian) President Abu Mazen," Erekat told reporters, "And I urge all Palestinian factions to observe a cessation of violence. Such attacks harm Palestinian interests," according to Haaretz and Reuters.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
