Explosion rocks market in Israel

A suicide bomber blew himself up Wednesday next to a food stand in the central Israeli town of Hadera, killing four people, wounding at least 30 and leaving a path of destruction at an open air market.

According to Israel TV the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Ambulances rushed to the scene after the explosion at the crowded entrance to a felafel stand next to the central bus station. Israel Radio said a bomb had been placed at the scene, rather than being a suicide attack.

Police and Hadera mayor Chaim Avitan, however, insisted the attack was a suicide bombing. Rescue teams were treating the wounded in a nearby field.

Israeli police and medics reported that four people were killed in the blast and that one person was critically wounded.

"We are talking about a serious attack, and the number of wounded is relatively high, and the last of the wounded are being evacuated at this time," said Yeruham Mendola, a spokesman for the Magen David Adom rescue service.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, in his turn, denounced the bombing, the AP reports.

V.Y.