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Homicide Bombing in Tel Aviv Kills Eight

A suicide bomber struck the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon, killing himself and six others at a felafel stand near the city`s old central bus station that has been a frequent target of Palestinian homicide bombings in the past. Initial reports said that the blast might have been caused by an explosives-laden vehicle, but it was quickly ascertained that the culprit was a suicide bomber. The terrorist group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Just a day before, on Sunday, the leader of Islamic Jihad had pledged non-stop efforts to strike at Israeli population centers. This terror attack is the first to occur since Hamas, opposed to the existence of Israel and branded a terrorist group by the U.S., E.U. and Israel, took control of the Palestinian Authority after winning a stunning mandate in elections at the end of January.

The homicide bombing also comes amid a time of increased tension between the West, Russia, China and Iran over the latter country`s nuclear program. Iran is an arch-enemy of Israel and known supporter of Palestinian terrorist groups. For example, when much of the world announced cuts in aid to the Palestinian Authority in order to keep Hamas from using it to finance violence, Iran pledged $50 million in aid to keep the Hamas-run government afloat. That pledge came a day before the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv.