Seven killed in Israeli bus attack

A HAMAS suicide bomber blew himself up in a Jerusalem bus yesterday, killing seven passengers and prompting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to call off a Washington trip seen as crucial for getting a new Mideast peace plan off the ground.

Mr Sharon convened a special Cabinet meeting yesterday evening, and a senior adviser hinted strongly that Israel would take action against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Several Cabinet ministers have been pushing for Mr Arafat's expulsion, and the adviser, Raanan Gissin, said he expected the issue would be discussed in the Cabinet session.