This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6309029.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Three dead in Israel suicide bomb Three dead in Israel suicide bomb
(30 minutes later)
A suicide bomber has killed three people in a bakery in the southern Israeli town of Eilat, police say.A suicide bomber has killed three people in a bakery in the southern Israeli town of Eilat, police say.
The blast tore through the Lehamim Bakery in a residential neighbourhood at 0940 (0740 GMT).The blast tore through the Lehamim Bakery in a residential neighbourhood at 0940 (0740 GMT).
Several Palestinian militant groups said they carried out the attack - the first suicide bombing in Israel since April 2006.Several Palestinian militant groups said they carried out the attack - the first suicide bombing in Israel since April 2006.
Eilat, a popular diving resort, has previously largely escaped violence by Palestinian militants.Eilat, a popular diving resort, has previously largely escaped violence by Palestinian militants.
Body partsBody parts
Witnesses described a massive blast which shook the area.Witnesses described a massive blast which shook the area.
"I saw a man with a black coat and a bag. For Eilat, where it is hot, it is strange to see someone walking with a coat. I said to myself, 'Why is this idiot dressed that way?'," Benny Mazgini, a local resident, told Israel Radio."I saw a man with a black coat and a bag. For Eilat, where it is hot, it is strange to see someone walking with a coat. I said to myself, 'Why is this idiot dressed that way?'," Benny Mazgini, a local resident, told Israel Radio.
"Seconds later, I heard a huge blast. The building shook.""Seconds later, I heard a huge blast. The building shook."
The force of the explosion left body parts scattered around the bakery, while outside trays of bread lay on the blood-stained pavement.The force of the explosion left body parts scattered around the bakery, while outside trays of bread lay on the blood-stained pavement.
"Our assumption is that it's not one bomber, and there might be more bombers in Eilat right now," said Bruno Stein, Eilat's police commander. Eilat police commander Bruno Stein warned more that bombers might be on the loose.
Three separate Palestinian militant groups - Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a previously unknown group calling itself the Army of Believers - said they were behind the attack. "Our assumption is that it's not one bomber, and there might be more bombers in Eilat right now," he said.
A spokesman for Islamic Jihad told the Associated Press news agency that the attacker came from the West Bank, but gave no other details. 'Joint attack'
A spokesman for the Palestinian militant organisation, Islamic Jihad, has told the BBC his group was behind the bombing.
We reject these acts and we do not believe that they are in the interest of the Palestinian cause Abed RabboSpokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas He said it had been carried out along with two other militant factions - the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, linked to the Fatah party, and a previously unknown organisation called the Islamic Brigade.
The spokesman said the attack had been carried out by a Palestinian after what he described as lengthy and complicated preparations.
The claim has not been authenticated.
A senior aide to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack.
"We reject these acts and we do not believe that they are in the interest of the Palestinian cause and that they blacken the image of the Palestinian people," Abed Rabbo told AFP news agency.
It is the first time Eilat, some 350km (220 miles) south of Jerusalem, has suffered a suicide attack.
The last suicide attack was at a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 10 people. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in that time, mainly in the Gaza Strip.The last suicide attack was at a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 10 people. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in that time, mainly in the Gaza Strip.