Military

DATE=09/19/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / BOMBING (L)

NUMBER=2-294227

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERSUALEM

CONTENT=

INTERNET=YES

VOICED AT=

INTRO: A Palestinian suicide bomber has set off an explosion in a crowded bus in central Tel Aviv, killing at least five people and injuring dozens more. Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The powerful explosion ripped through a bus at the height of the lunch hour. The blast occurred on one of Tel Aviv's main thoroughfares in the heart of the city's commercial district, an area also filled with restaurants and cafes.

Ambulances raced to the scene, and Israeli television showed pictures of casualties being carried away. Witnesses described a gruesome scene of bodies being thrown from the bus by the force of the blast, and people covered in blood trying to escape from the burning vehicle.

The Israeli government has put the blame for the attack on the Palestinian Authority, in particular Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israel's defense minister called a meeting of army commanders to discuss a possible response.

The Palestinian Authority issued a statement condemning the Tel Aviv bomb attack and calling for immediate talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Thursday's bombing comes a day after a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in northern Israel, killing himself and an Israeli policeman. It was the first suicide bombing in Israel in six weeks, and shattered the lull in attacks against Israeli targets by Palestinian militants.

A spate of suicide bombings in June prompted the Israeli military to block off most Palestinian cities and towns, effectively re-occupying major Palestinian population centers. The action was designed to deter attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli targets.

Israeli security officials say they have been able to stop numerous bomb attacks before they were carried out. But officials say there is no way to stop each and every attempt. (Signed)

NEB/SP/KL/TW