17 killed by suicide bombing in Israel

Seventeen people have been killed after a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of young Israelis waiting to enter a Tel Aviv disco.

It was by far the worst terrorist attack against Israel since fighting with the Palestinians erupted in September and raised the possibility of a strong Israeli retaliation against Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon discussed a possible response with his defence and foreign ministers before an emergency Cabinet session. The defence minister also consulted the army chief.

Sharon adviser Raanan Gissin said Cabinet decisions would "restore security, but also leave open the door to peace".

The explosion, heard for miles around the city, went off in front of the Pacha nightclub in a former aquarium building that faces a promenade lined with restaurants, bars, hotels and office towers.

Scores of police cars and ambulances raced through the jammed streets of the Mediterranean metropolis to reach the scene, where police struggled to push away crowds as helicopters hovered overhead and smoke wafted in the air.

Bodies lay on the ground in front of the entrance to the nightclub. One of the victims appeared to be a girl in her early teens.

Police Superintendent Uri Bar Lev put the death toll at 17 and reports said more than 80 were injured. The explosive was said to have contained pieces of metal that caused particularly severe injuries when they flew out in all directions.

Police said they made several arrests.

Israel Radio said the Islamic Jihad group had claimed responsibility, but this could not be confirmed.