12/08/2003

Two Israelis die in suicide bomb attacks

Two Israelis have been killed and a further 13 injured following two suicide bomb attacks today.

At around 9am (local time) a bomber entered a pharmacy in Rosh Ha'ayin, near, Tel Aviv – an area that had previously not been targeted by suicide bombers. The explosion killed one person and injured 10 others. The blast sparked off fires which consumed a number of nearby shops.

About one hour later, one Israeli was killed when the bomber set off a device at a bus stop in Ariel. Three people were injured – two of those seriously.

Both bombers also died in the explosions.

Reuters has reported that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have both said that their truce remains intact despite today's outrages. In separate statements, the militant groups said that the bombings were "natural reactions" to Israeli "aggression".

Emerging reports are now suggesting that Hamas carried out the attack at Ariel.

Israel has responded by suspending the releases of Palestinians prisoners which it undertook as part of a "unilateral step" to promote the road map peace plan.

On August 3 Israel released 334 Palestinian prisoners from various prisons around the country. However, 76 scheduled releases will not now go ahead.

(GMcG)

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