Israel shells Palestinian cities

Israeli forces have shelled Gaza City and the West Bank city of Ramallah after a suicide bomber killed himself and two Israeli teenagers.

Before the Israeli attack, Palestinian officials evacuated the main Palestinian Authority headquarters building in Ramallah, saying that the Israeli military warned them to leave, indicating an impending attack.

There are no immediate details about the targets the Israelis were hitting in the two cities.

The militant Palestinian group Hamas claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at Sdeh Hemed, on the line between Israel and the West Bank, releasing a videotaped recording made by the alleged bomber.

The bomber, Dia Tawil, 20, said he came from Ramallah.

After the bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was responsible for a wave of attacks by Palestinian militants against Israelis in recent days.