A blast took place at around 7 A.M. (local time) Sunday close to a bus station in Tel Aviv. The blast was caused by a small device, police said.
An Israeli female soldier was killed and at least 30 people were wounded. Reports said most of the injured were slightly wounded.
A police spokesman said that the bomb was planted in bushes adjacent to a bus station, and was activated as a bus was leaving the station. Some of the passengers aboard the bus were among the injured, Haaretz web site reported.
Fatah's al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for this attack, saying the bombing avenged assassination of two top commanders and the killings of other Palestinians during Israeli raids in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank earlier this year.
Reacting to this bombing attack, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said it was carried out "under the patronage" of the world court after it ruled Israel's West Bank wall was illegal.
"An hour ago, an Israeli woman was murdered by Palestinian terrorist criminals and other civilians were killed. We are all praying for their wellbeing," Sharon said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. "The murderous act that was carried out this morning was the first to occur under the patronage of the world court," Sharon stated.
Additionally, the Israeli leader vowed to ignore Friday's verdict by the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the barrier was illegal and parts already built on Palestinian territory should be demolished.
On his part, Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat condemned the attack, but suggested that it was an act of provocation carried out by the Israelis.
"We condemn this act as we always condemn these acts," Arafat said Sunday, before hinting that it could have been carried out by the Israeli security services.
"You know who is behind these acts," he told reporters at his West Bank offices. "Europe knows it, the Americans know it, the Israelis know it."
Arafat has previously accused members of the Israeli secret services of having perpetrated attacks against Israel, in order to tarnish the image of the Palestinians. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
