More violence in Israel

JERUSALEM -- A suicide bomber jumped out of a car, dashed past two policemen and ran to a bus stop before blowing himself up and killing at least six other people Wednesday evening. More than 35 people were wounded.\nThe blast -- the second in Jerusalem in two days -- was claimed by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, according to the Al Manar television station in Lebanon. The station is run by the Islamic group Hezbollah.\nAbout three hours after the bombing, Israeli helicopters opened fire on several targets in the Gaza Strip, including a steel factory, Palestinian security officials said. The Israeli army refused to comment.\nThe suicide attack came hours after an Israeli announcement it would gradually reoccupy Palestinian areas until terrorism stops.\nThe announcement, seen by some as another step toward toppling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his Palestinian Authority, was a response to a suicide bomb attack that killed 19 Israelis on a bus Tuesday. Hamas claimed credit for Tuesday's attack.\nPresident Bush decided to hold off revealing his plan for Palestinian statehood. Administration officials said a presidential announcement at this sensitive stage in the Arab-Israeli conflict would be unlikely to have a positive impact.\nA trip to the Middle East next week by Secretary of State Colin Powell was also put on hold, though it remains under future consideration. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon adamantly opposes any form of Palestinian statehood at this time, and blames Arafat for failing to stop the attacks.\nIn one of his strongest condemnations ever, Pope John Paul II decried Tuesday's attack, saying "those who plot and plan such barbarous attacks will have to answer before God."\nEarlier Wednesday, dozens of prominent Palestinians made an unprecedented appeal to Islamic extremist groups to stop attacks on Israeli civilians.\nIn the latest attack, the bomber emerged from a red Audi car, dashed to a covered bus stop and set off the blast, according to a police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The car sped away, disappearing into Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, the source added.\nThe explosion in the French Hill neighborhood blew out the back and the sides of the shelter, leaving just a concrete bench and the roof. An arm and a leg were among the body parts scattered on the street. A baby carriage was overturned, and rescue workers covered it with a black plastic bag.\nSeven people and the bomber were killed, said Jerusalem police chief Mickey Levy. More than 35 were wounded, several critically, rescue workers told army radio. Among the injured was an officer who was chasing the bomber, Levy said.\nThe blast occurred in a part of the city that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war, and which Palestinians claim for a future state.\n"Zionists, leave our land because we will not stop our operations as long as there is an occupation," said the statement attributed to the Al Aqsa group, which is linked to Arafat's Fatah movement.\nThe Israeli decision to recapture Palestinian territory came after late-night consultations between Sharon and his coalition partners.\nThe announcement represented a major policy change and was made as Israeli troops entered three West Bank towns from which dozens of terror attacks have been launched.\nIn one area -- near the town of Jenin and the adjacent refugee camp -- troops set up an encampment of mobile homes and brought in water tanks, apparently preparing for an extended stay.\n"Israel will respond to acts of terror by capturing Palestinian Authority territory," Sharon's office announced. "These areas will be held as long as terror continues. Additional acts of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas."\nAides to Arafat said Israel's new policy would only cause further bloodshed, and push militias to carry out more attacks. Ultimately, Israel seeks to replace the Palestinian Authority with Israeli civil administration, aide Saeb Erekat said.\nJust how far Israel would go in retaking Palestinian territory wasn't clear. Before the Palestinians were granted full or partial authority over areas through the interim peace accords of the mid-1990s, Israel oversaw all aspects of daily life. Soldiers patrolled all towns, cities and villages, frequently imposing curfews that could close schools and offices for days or weeks.