Palestinian militants blamed for planting bomb

A bomb that exploded in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, slightly injuring three policeman, was planted by Palestinian militants, police said today.

The explosion went off yesterday evening near a fast food restaurant at a busy intersection.

Police initially would not say who was behind the blast.

However, Haifa police spokesman Yehuda Maman said today that it was ‘‘highly probable’’ that Palestinian militants were responsible.

The explosives were hidden in a bag placed near the intersection.

A passer-by touched the bag, felt something heavy inside and called the police.

‘‘When people were being cleared away, it went off,’’ Maman said.

Three police officers were lightly hurt and treated at a nearby hospital.

The explosion came hours after a Palestinian man blew himself up near a bus in the Israeli town of Kfar Saba, near Tel Aviv.

The blast killed two people, including the bomber, and wounded 50.