Bomber dies in central Jerusalem blast

Four Israelis injured say police

A suicide bomber detonated explosives in central Jerusalem today, killing himself and injuring four Israelis, police said.

It was the first suicide bombing in Jerusalem since a pair of attacks on 18 and 19 June when 26 Israelis were killed. The attacks prompted the army to occupy seven of the eight major Palestinian towns in the West Bank.

Jerusalem Police Chief Mickey Levy said today's bomber entered a felafel stand on a busy central Jerusalem street and detonated the bomb. The stand is popular with Jerusalem police whose headquarters are nearby.

The blast occurred in one of the most heavily guarded areas of downtown Jerusalem, on Hanevi'im street, Israel Radio said.

The area divides traditionally Arab east Jerusalem and west Jerusalem.

Ambulance officials said two people were taken to hospital.