Passover death toll rises to 19

A suicide bomber killed at least 19 people and injured more than 120 when he burst into a hotel dining room and blew himself up as Israelis dressed in their holiday best were sitting down to a meal celebrating the Jewish Passover.

The explosion yesterday tore through the ground floor of the Park Hotel in the northern coastal resort of Netanya, blowing out walls and windows and overturning tables and chairs.