Another suicide attack as truce talks resume

As Mideast truce talks resumed today, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonated his deadly package at an Israeli military checkpoint in the West Bank, killing himself and wounding an officer.

It was the third suicide bombing in three days.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, a militia linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, claimed responsibility as they did yesterday’s suicide bombing in the heart of Jerusalem.

The Israeli military said the bomber had intended to blew himself up in Israel, but detonated the explosives prematurely when he was unexpectedly stopped by soldiers at a surprise checkpoint and was asked to lift his shirt during a search.

The assailant had been riding in a van with two other men, who fled after the explosion, said Brigadier General Gershon Yitzhak, commander of forces in the West Bank.

Suicide bombings on Wednesday and Thursday were carried out by the militant Islamic Jihad and by the Al Aqsa militia, respectively. In all, 10 Israelis were killed and dozens wounded in those attacks.

Despite the wave of attacks, truce talks resumed today, several hours after US mediator Anthony Zinni met a subdued Arafat and delivered a stern message, saying the Palestinian leader had not done enough to prevent attacks on Israelis.

During a photo opportunity at the start of the talks, the tension between the men was apparent, and neither tried to hide it as they looked at the cameras - Zinni stern-faced and Arafat dejected. Arafat leaned his head on his left hand.

Several hours later, truce talks resumed. Both sides have endorsed a ceasefire plan but disagree on the timetable for implementation. Each sides wants the other to take the first steps.

Zinni has been writing a bridging proposal, but it was not known whether he would present it today.