Israeli Mall Suicide Bombing

(Netanya, Israel) The Hasharon Shopping Mall in coastal Israeli city of Netanya was targeted today by a suicide bomber at 11:30 AM (Israeli time). A witness said the bomber was able to approach the entrance to the mall but security guards wouldn't let him in.

Consequently, he exploded himself at the entrance. Four people have been reported killed, along with dozens injured, some seriously. Police forces saturated the area and helicopters were sent flying to track down those responsible for driving the murderer to the site.

From JPost.com:

Shortly after the bombing, Israeli defense sources said they believed the attack was carried out by the Islamic Jihad. Shortly after the statement, the Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the attack in a phone call to Palestinian journalists. A radio station in the Gaza Strip, however, reported that the Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades took responsibility for the attack.

The Islamic Jihad is the only terror organization that is not a signatory to the Palestinian factions' tahdiya, or "calm."

CNN reports that 35 people were injured, 14 seriously. Five deaths resulted from the attack, including the bomber. Some Palestinian sources are blaming the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades. However, the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, denied any involvement in the bombing.

Senior Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat condemned the attack as contrary to the Palestinian cause. However, David Baker, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, stated that the Palestinian Authority's refusal to dismantle terror organizations resulted in today's bombing.