Islamic militants unleash wave of terror against Israel

JERUSALEM -- After a series of suicide bombings against Israel that killed 25 people and wounded nearly 200, Yasser Arafat ordered dozens of Islamic militants arrested and promised harsh action. But Israel was deeply skeptical, with hard-liners calling for the removal of the Palestinian leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cut short his U.S. trip to rush home after meeting with President Bush, who denounced the bombings as "horrific acts of murder."

Bush and other world leaders pressed Arafat to crack down on militants. The Palestinian leader "must do everything in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring them to justice," Bush said.

Images of bodies lying on sidewalks and blood-smeared survivors crying out in agony filled TV screens, and Israelis had a growing sense that 14 months of Israeli-Palestinian fighting had reached a crossroads.

"It must be understood that we are at a turning point," said Cabinet Minister Matan Vilnai. He did not say how Israel would retaliate but warned the Palestinian Authority was "endangering its existence" by not cracking down on militants.

The carnage began in Jerusalem just before midnight Saturday, when two suicide bombers set off their nail-filled bombs on Ben Yehuda street, an area of cafes and bars packed with young Israelis. Ten people, mostly teens, were killed, and 150 were wounded.

At noon Sunday, another Palestinian blew himself up in a bus in the northern port city of Haifa, sending bodies flying and destroying the vehicle. Fifteen people were killed and 40 injured.

Hamas responsible

The Islamic militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the bombings, in retaliation for Israel's slaying of a Hamas leader nine days ago. Three suicide attackers were killed in the bombings. Hamas said its gunmen were behind the shooting Sunday of an Israeli driver in the Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers killed the two gunmen in that attack.

Near the West Bank city of Jenin, the army said troops shot and killed four armed Palestinians. The four approached an army position with the intention of carrying out an attack, the army said.

Echoing Bush's comments, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and the European Union demanded Arafat move against groups backing terrorism. Pope John Paul II told pilgrims at the Vatican that the attacks were "sorrowful and worrisome" and urged prayers for peace.

Arafat promised to take harsh action against the militants and declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian areas. Palestinian police, accompanied by journalists, began rounding up Islamic militants.

An official said 90 militants have been arrested, including senior Hamas leaders Ismail Abu Shanab and Ismail Haniya. Security chief Jibril Rajoub said those involved in the bombings "would pay the price."