'Three dead' in suspected West Bank suicide bombing

Three people are feared dead in a bomb explosion at a petrol station near the entrance of the Jewish settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, it was reported today.

The Israeli military also said at least 16 people were hurt.

Initial reports on Israel radio stations and the military said the blast was apparently caused by a suicide bomber, possibly one travelling in a car.

Ariel is one of the largest settlements in the West Bank, located to the north of Jerusalem.

A volunteer Israeli rescue service, ZAKA, said three people were killed and about 30 wounded, according to Shlomo Bloch, a spokesman for the group.

‘‘Once again, the vicious agenda of Palestinian terrorists has taken its toll,’’ said David Baker, an official in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s office. ‘‘Like spectators, the Palestinian Authority stands by and does nothing while Palestinian terrorists continue to wage a campaign of terror against Israeli civilians.’’

The Palestinian Authority, led by Yasser Arafat, has condemned bombings of Israeli civilians and says its security forces are unable to act against Palestinian militant groups because Israeli troops have taken over most cities in the West Bank.

Palestinian militants have targeted Jewish settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip throughout the two-year-old Palestinian uprising.