Four killed in suicide bomb blast

At least four people died today when a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a shopping centre in northern Israel, Army Radio said.

Television pictures showed emergency workers carrying the injured from the shopping mall in the town of Afula.

“Our people are there treating the wounded,” Israeli rescue services worker Doron Kotler said, adding that at least 15 people were wounded, some seriously.

Army Radio said the bomber was a woman and that she had killed herself and at least three other people.

It was the fifth suicide bombing in 36 hours and threatened to destroy any hopes the US had that its road map to peace will reach its destination.

The four previous attacks were claimed by the Islamic militant group Hamas.