Three killed by suicide bomb blast

Three people have been killed by the suicide bomb blast in Israel today, medical workers have said.

The explosion occurred at a bus stop near both the Assaf Harofeh hospital and the Tsrifim army base near the Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon Letsion.

A spokesman for the Zaka rescue service said three people were killed. The Magen David Adom rescue service said about 30 were injured, 15 of them seriously.

Security officials said there were many soldiers at the bus stop.

“The attack today is further indication that the Palestinian Authority is doing absolutely nothing whatsoever to reign in terrorists or to dismantle the terror infrastructure in their areas,” said David Baker, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is visiting India.

The explosion comes as Israeli Cabinet and security officials have been calling for the expulsion of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat – whom Israel holds responsible for the attacks.

There has been some speculation that a suicide bombing that causes many fatalities might be the trigger for such a move.