Israel Blast Injures At Least 20

May 19, 2002

JERUSALEM (AP) — An explosion, apparently caused by a suicide bomber, rocked a market in the coastal city of Netanya on Sunday, injuring at least 20 people, rescue services said.

Five of the injured were in serious condition, said Yeruham Mandel, a spokesman for Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service.

"There was an explosion, apparently a suicide bomber," Mandel said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police could not confirm the reported fatality.

At least 20 people were injured in the blast, said Avi Zohar, another spokesman for the rescue service.

The explosion came even though security forces were on alert in the area of Netanya in central Israel for several hours after information was received that a suicide bomber was preparing an attack, Israel radio reported.

Netanya, which is close to the West Bank, has been frequently targeted by Palestinian militants. In March, an attack in Netanya killed 29 people at a Passover seder, sparking Israel's recently concluded five-week offensive in the West Bank aimed at dismantling the militant groups in the Palestinian autonomous zones.

"Anyone who thought that the Palestinian terror campaign against Israelis is over is completely mistaken," said David Baker, an official at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office, speaking moments after news of the blast was broadcast on Israel radio.

"The Palestinian terror campaign continues unabated, as does Israel's battle against terror," he said.

Two weeks ago, Israel planned another offensive in Gaza after a suicide bombing in a Tel Aviv suburb that was claimed by the Gaza-based Hamas militant group — but that operation was postponed at the last minute as the international community urged restraint.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/05/18/blast.htm