Student tells of seeing suicide blast

A 15-year-old student has told how he watched his friends die at the hands of a suicide bomber in today's West Bank explosion.

The Palestinian bomber killed himself and two Israeli teenagers who were waiting for a lift to school.

Four people were hurt, one critically.

Islamic militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the suicide blast and said seven more bombers were ready to strike.

Bombs were discovered in two other Israeli towns and safely exploded.

One of the students, Rafael Somer, 15, said the assailant approached three of his friends as they waited for their bus at the petrol station near the West Bank.

"He looked at them. Then the explosion went off. I was hurled backwards. When I got up, I saw one of my friends without hands. Another friend was torn apart," said the lightly injured Somer, suppressing tears.

Another witness, Hananel Twito, 12 said the assailant wore black leather despite the hot weather, raising suspicion in his mind. The bomb was studded with nails, which pierced the victims.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called an emergency session of his security Cabinet.

The hard-line premier, elected on a promise to restore security to Israelis, is under growing pressure to respond harshly. However, Israel's police commissioner said little more could be done to prevent suicide attacks.

The Government held Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ultimately responsible, saying he has released hundreds of Islamic militants from prison in recent months. Sharon aides also said Palestinian Authority officials have authorised attacks on Israelis.