Hamas claims two suicide bombings

The Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades said they were responsible for two suicide bombings in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem today.

The brigades are the so-called military wing of Hamas.

Seven people died and 40 were injured in the explosion in Jerusalem tonight, at the Hilel cafe in Hemek Refaim, in the west of the city.

Police said a security guard had tried to prevent the attacker from entering the building. He then blew himself up outside the cafe.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to treat the wounded, several of whom were said to be in a critical condition.

Earlier, at least seven people were killed in an explosion near Tel Aviv.

Twenty-five other people were injured, including six who are said to be in a serious condition.

The blast occurred at the entrance to the Tzrifin army base, southeast of the city, as soldiers left the camp at the end of their day shift and waited for rides home.

Hamas leader Abdelaziz Rantissi said the bombing was a response to Israeli 'crimes', but he did not say Hamas was responsible for the attack.

But Israel accused Yasser Arafat of being indirectly responsible, after 'preventing his government' from cracking down on Hamas.

Hamas cadres killed in Hebron

Two Palestinians killed earlier in an Israeli army operation in Hebron were identified as the local head of Hamas' armed wing and one of his aides.

A 13-year-old Palestinian boy was killed at the same time by shrapnel from a tank shell.

And talks took place in Jerusalem between the US Consul-General and Ahmed Qurei, who has been nominated by Yasser Arafat to be the next Palestinian Prime Minister.

Reports say Mr Qurei was told that he must act on the issue of security in order to keep the Middle East peace process alive.

In turn, he demanded that Israel stop its attacks on Palestinian militants and allows more freedom of movement in the occupied territories.