Four Israelis killed in separate attacks

At least four Israelis have died in two separate attacks by Palestinian militants inside Israel this morning.

Three people, including a policeman, died when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a restaurant in Tel Aviv, while one person died in a suicide bombing at a bus station in Afula in central Israel.

31 Israelis were also injured in the Tel Aviv attack, which happened at around 2.15am local time.

Witnesses said the gunman approached the all-night restaurant firing from an M-16 assault rifle. He then entered the building and fired more shots before he was shot dead himself.

Israeli radio reports said the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which is linked to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for the attack. Callers identified the gunman as a Palestinian from the Jebalya refugee camp, near Gaza City.

This morning’s attacks follow a day of Israeli army operations which left 16 Palestinians dead, including five children.

The wife and three children of a Hamas activist were among the dead. They were killed when the Israeli army fired a missile at their car in an attack that was later described as a mistake.

After nightfall yesterday, Israeli F-16 warplanes dropped at least three bombs on the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Bethlehem.

Doctors said four people were hurt in the attack. The buildings were empty at the time as Palestinians had evacuated them several days ago in anticipation of Israeli strikes.