A Palestinian suicide bomber wounded 30 people in Tel Aviv today, raising tensions six days before a Palestinian election and confronting interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with a major test.
The bombing at a popular sandwich stand was the first in Israel since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was incapacitated by a massive stroke on Jan. 4 and could put pressure on Olmert for harsh reprisals in the Palestinian territories.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the attack was aimed at sabotaging the January 25 parliamentary election. Violence could complicate the poll, in which the militant group Hamas is expected to make a strong showing against his Fatah movement.
Islamic Jihad, which like Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction, claimed responsibility for the bombing, the first in the Jewish state since an 11-month truce expired at the end of last year.
The bomber targeted a small, open-air sandwich stand on a busy pedestrian mall near Tel Aviv's old central bus station. Posing as a peddler, he walked in and offered in Hebrew to sell the patrons razor blades. Seconds later, he blew himself up.
"His body was blown in half, his head went one way and his legs the other," restaurant owner Arieh Sharon told Channel 10 television.
The blast tore down the ceiling of the restaurant, which specialised in grilled meat and falafel, and spewed debris and food in all directions.
Authorities said the bomber was the only fatality but one person was in serious condition. The other injuries were mostly light to moderate, medics said.
"The Tel Aviv terror attack is a direct consequence of the Palestinian Authority's total refusal to take any steps to prevent terror against Israelis," said David Baker, an official in the prime minister's office.