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Politics : WAR on Terror. Will it engulf the Entire Middle East? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E. T. who wrote (2032)	4/10/2002 4:28:49 AM
From: E. T.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32591

(07:45) Nine dead, 17 wounded in bus blast near Haifa By The Jerusalem Post Internet Staff jpost.com An Egged bus was blown up a short time ago in a suicide bombing near Kibbutz Yagur, close to Haifa. There are at least nine dead and 17 wounded in the wake of the powerful blast on the vehicle, No. 960, which left Haifa for Jerusalem at 7:00 a.m., according to Egged Spokesman Ron Ratner. One person sustained critical wounds, and at least three others are in serious condition, according to Magen David Adom Director-General Avi Zohar. The wounded are suffering from the effects of the blast and shrapnel, hospital officials said. Northern Police Chief Yaakov Borovsky said the suicide bomber wore an explosives belt and detonated it shortly after boarding the bus. Borovsky said more than eight people were killed. It was not immediately clear if that included the assailant. Police are investigating the possibility that the bomber was aided by others. The bomb punched a large hole through the roof of the front of the vehicle, which was stopped on the side of the highway, with its wheels blown off. Cars driving alongside the bus were reportedly blawn aside form the force of the blast. One witness, identified only by his first name, Motti, told Israel Radio that he was driving 20 meters (yards) behind the bus when he heard the explosion and saw the bus fly about two or three meters (yards) into the air. "It's a catastrophe. Shrapnel and bits are everywhere," he said. Rescue workers arriving moments later covered several bodies lying on the asphalt with white sheets and blankets. Personal belongings were strewn on the highway, including an olive jacket normally worn by soldiers, a skullcap and identity papers. No group has taken responsibility for the bombing and there has been no condemnation of the attack in Arab capitals as yet. There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wil convene an emergency session of the expanded security cabinet at 9:30 a.m. to discuss Israel's response to the attack. "Apparently the Palestinian terrorists' appetite for terror has yet to be quenched," said David Baker, a spokesman in the prime minister's office. Another government spokesman, Arieh Mekel, said the bombing was a sign that the Palestinians were intent on disrupting a new peace mission by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is to arrive in the region Thursday. This is the first terror attack since the begining of the IDF's "Defensive Shield" Operation in the territories. The last major bombing, also in Haifa, took place on March 31 when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the "Matza" restaurant, killing 15 people. The Jerusalem Post Internet Edition will update this report as further details become available. Hospital emergency numbers: B'nai Tzion Hospital: 125-5145 Carmel Hospital: 125-5142 Rambam Hospital: 125-5144 No area code is necessary when calling the these numbers. Overseas callers need to dial Israel's country code 972 before the direct number.