Two Palestinian suicide bombers blew themselves up in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Israeli police said, in an attack that journalists at the scene estimated had killed five people. Israeli radio stations said two of the dead appeared to be those of the suicide bombers.
At least 15 people were wounded in the blasts.
"There were two suicide bombers," Tel Aviv police commander Yossi Sedbon told Israel Radio.
Israel's Channel Two reported that the explosion occurred on Neve She'anan street around 22:25 (19:25 GMT).
Many foreign workers live in the area where the explosion occurred. The explosions took place in a bar crowded with Romanian workers, Israel TV reported.
The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the double suicide bomb attack, Hizbullah's al-Manar television station reported. Later, Hamas also claimed the attack.
Israel blamed the Palestinian Authority, led by Yasser Arafat. "The Palestinian Authority continues to do nothing to stop the murderous attacks launched from its territory," said David Baker, an official in the Prime Minister's Office.
"This attack in Tel Aviv proves that Palestinian terrorists are determined to murder, maim and terrorize as many Israelis as they can, thinking that by doing so they can pressure Israel into concessions," he told AP.
The United States condemned the latest attack. "This is a despicable act of terrorism which we strongly condemn," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
For its part, the Palestinian National Authority condemned the Tel Aviv attack. "We condemn this operation," said Ahmed Abdelrahman, PNA cabinet secretary. "This will not help the Palestinian people." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
