Suicide bomber wounds 10, 2 seriously in Be’er Sheva blast

A suicide bomber rocked the center of the Negev capital of Be’er Sheva early Sunday, wounding at least 10 people, two of them seriously, in the first such terrorist attack since Israel began its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip earlier in the month. Witnesses said the driver of a crowded Number 9 bus in be’er Sheva found the bomber suspicious, and refused to allow him to enter the vehicle. The bomber next tried to board a Number 12 bus, but security guards began persuing him. The bomber then detonated the explosives, seriously wounding the two guards. The wounded were all taken to Soroka hospital in the city. Israel said soon after the bombing that unless the Palestinian Authority took steps to curb terrorism, there would no progress toward diplomatic solutions. „Israel has taken the necessary steps to further the prospects of peace with the Palestinians,” said David Baker, an official in the office of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. „This bombing…is another indication that the Palestinian Authority must take proper steps against terror, and without these steps, there will be no progress between both sides.” There has been a lull in attacks since Israel and the Palestinians declared a truce in February. But Palestinian militant groups vowed to attack Israel last week after Israeli troops killed five Palestinians in a raid in the West Bank. „We condemn this attack and call upon all to make a maximum effort in order to maintain the truce and quiet,” Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. „Violence will bring more violence, and what Israelis and Palestinians need today is more peace and not violence.” BPI-info