Israel struck by suicide blast
First suicide attack on Israeli soil for 12 months kills three bystanders
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Monday, 04, Feb 2008 06:13
At least three bystanders have been killed after a suicide bomber blew himself up in the Israeli town of Dimona.
Local media claim a second suicide bomber also died in the incident after being shot by police before his explosives belt detonated.
A further ten people were injured in the blast, which took place at a shopping centre in Dimona, southern Israel.
An eyewitness told local radio: "We heard a big explosion, and people began running. I saw pieces of flesh flying in the air."
In an email to the Associated Press news agency, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade said it had carried out the attack, the first suicide blast in Israel for more than a year.
A statement said the group, which has links to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction, was claiming responsibility for the "martyrdom operation in Dimona".
Dimona lies 60km north-east of the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, now resealed after being breached by Hamas militants two weeks ago.
Today's explosion raises fears militants have infiltrated Israel from Gaza via Egypt.
A Hamas spokesperson told the AP news agency: "The suicide bombings were there before the closures and the resistance used every opportunity to make these glorious acts.
"They show the Palestinians can respond to the enemy and their crimes."