Israel intends to destroy the family homes of four Palestinians suspected of terrorist attacks that killed 36 bystanders - a punitive measure the Israelis believe also acts as a deterrent.

ISRAELI troops blew up two apartment buildings in a Gaza Strip refugee camp yesterday, just hours after undercover forces killed the brother of a radical Palestinian leader during an arrest raid in the West Bank.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded garden cafe near Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s official residence tonight, police said.