9 dead, attacks disrupt talks in Israel

Two Palestinian suicide bombers blew themselves up in this closely guarded Israeli seaport today, killing nine Israelis and wounding 18, pol...

Two Palestinian suicide bombers blew themselves up in this closely guarded Israeli seaport today, killing nine Israelis and wounding 18, police said.

After the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cancelled talks to set up a much-anticipated summit with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie on reviving a dormant US-backed peace plan.

The bombing took place as aides of Sharon and Qurie were wrapping up talks to arrange a long-awaited summit on reviving a plan for reciprocal steps to lead to a Palestinian state in return for peace.

Israelis called off contacts which were planned for Monday ahead of a possible summit this week. 8216;8216;We8217;re not looking for a photo opportunity. We want a real undertaking from Palestinians to crack down on terrorism,8217;8217; said Sharon8217;s spokesman Raanan Gissin.

Two Palestinian militant groups, Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs8217; Brigades, claimed joint responsibility. The assailants came from the Jebaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, and were sent to avenge the killings of militants in recent Israeli Army raids, the statements said.

8216;8216;This attack is a response to the continuing Zionist enemy8217;s crimes and its daily massacres,8217;8217; said Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas. Arafat8217;s Palestinian Authority condemned the attack.

The militant groups named the bombers as Nabil Mas8217;oud andMohammad Salem, both from the Jebaliya refugee camp in Gaza.

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It was the first attack of its kind in more than three years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, and underscored Israel8217;s vulnerability, despite stringent security measures.

Today8217;s explosions went off before 5 pm in two areas of the Port. Port worker Sami Pinto said that when he entered the Port, he saw smoke from the explosions near the fence of the facility and one in a workshop inside the Port. Police initially believed the explosions were set off accidentally. But officers said they became suspicious when they saw bodies of the two apparent bombers.