Israel launches missile attacks after suicide bombing

Israel has retaliated to the Tel Aviv suicide bomb by launching missile attacks in Gaza City.

In the bomb attack, two Palestinians blew themselves up seconds apart in a crowded, old part of the city, killing 23 bystanders.

The blast also wounded more than 100 people.

Israeli helicopters firing missiles have blasted metal workshops in Gaza early today as Israel's leadership met to consider how to respond to the deadliest single Palestinian attack since March.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

They named the bombers as two young men from the West Bank city of Nablus.

Ariel Sharon was quick to blame Arafat.

"All attempts to reach a ceasefire, even today, are failing due to the Palestinian leadership that continues to support, fund and initiate terror," he said.

The Palestinian Authority issued a statement, saying it "strongly condemns and fully rejects all crimes against civilians and the idea of revenge".

The statement called for international intervention to help restore calm.