- Title: ISRAEL: Suicide bomber dies in Tel Aviv blast.
- Date: 19th January 2006
- Summary: WIDE OF EXTERIOR OF SANDWICH BAR
- Embargoed: 3rd February 2006 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,War / Fighting
- Reuters ID: LVAESVG4YPPBA5OJWACFEZ7ZX9Z8
- Story Text: A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself in Tel Aviv on Thursday (January 19), wounding at least 22 people in the first such attack in Israel since a truce expired at the end of last year.
The bomber targeted a small, open-air sandwich stand on a busy pedestrian mall near Tel Aviv's old central bus station. One witness said the man wore a backpack and pretended to be blind before detonating his explosives.
The blast spewed debris, body parts and half-eaten food in all directions.
Authorities said the bomber was the only fatality but one person was in serious condition. The other injuries were mostly light to moderate, medics said.
"We understand he arrived by himself. Initially we knew there were five people nearest to him who were hurt, and they were evacuated almost immediately. The emergency forces, MADA (Israeli rescue forces) arrived very quickly to the site," said Tel Aviv police commander David Tzur.
Israeli media said the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The bombing was the first since Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was incapacitated by a stroke on January 4, and could put pressure on interim leader Ehud Olmert for harsh reprisals as Palestinians prepare for parliamentary elections next week.
Any outbreak of violence could complicate the January 25 poll. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had already faced calls to delay the vote, in which the militant group Hamas is expected to make a strong showing against his ruling Fatah movement. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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