50 hurt in Israel restaurant blast

Up to 50 people were injured tonight when a suicide bomber carried out an attack in a restaurant near the Israeli coastal town of Haifa.

Israeli media reported that the bomber killed himself and wounded scores more people in the Wall Street Cafe.

Police spokesman Tomer On said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, but could confirm only 10 were hurt.

Ambulances rushed to the scene in what has become a grim and familiar scene in Israel.

The blast came three days after a suicide bombing at a Jerusalem pizza restaurant killed 15 people, the second deadliest attack in more than 10 months of Middle East violence.

Israel’s Government responded to that attack by taking over Palestinian political offices and security buildings in and around east Jerusalem.

Militant Palestinian groups, meanwhile, pledged to continue carrying out attacks against Israel.

A ceasefire declared two months ago never took hold and both sides have warned of an escalation in the violence.

Since fighting broke out last September, more than 560 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and more than 150 on the Israeli side.