Jerusalem, June 11: In a major setback to the just-renewed Middle East peace process, a suicide bomber today blew himself up in central Jerusalem killing atleast 16 people and an Israeli helicopter attacked Gaza City targeting a senior Hamas militant and killed at least four people. The suicide bomber ripped off bus number 14, in the vicinity of the "Klal" building on Jaffa Street, close to the intersection with King George Street, the site of many suicide explosions in the past, media reports said.
Jerusalem police chief Mickey Levy said that a suicide bomber detonated a large explosive device on the bus. There was no immediate claims for the blast, which comes a day after israel attempted to assassinate radical Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi following the killing of four of its soldiers by Palestinian radical groups. Hamas had then vowed revenge for the yesterday`s attack.
Rescue teams were evacuating the wounded to hospitals and ambulance sirens could be heard all over the city. An hour after the bus blast, an Israeli helicopter fired missiles at a car in Gaza City targeting senior Hamas militant Tito Massoud, a TV report said.
At least seven people are believed to have died in the attack.
The recent cycle of violence puts on backburner the peace process that was renewed after Isareli and Palestinian prime ministers held a three-way summit with US President George W. Bush. Bureau Report