A senior Israeli government official said today that the Israeli government would mete out an "adequate response" to the day's Jerusalem suicide bombing which left 18 dead and around 80 injured.
"There will be a proper and adequate response, proportionate to the event," said the official, who asked not to be named.
This morning, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a Jerusalem fast-food restaurant today, killing 18 people and wounding an estimated 80 others. In a separate incident, a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli near the West Bank town of Tulkarm.
This evening, a young Israeli woman was killed by Palestinian gunmen near the Israeli farming community of Merav, a short distance from the northern West Bank.
Today's blast occurred during the busy lunch hour at a pizzeria in the heart of Jerusalem's shopping district.
The Islamic Jihad group has claimed responsibility for the bomb.
"The Jerusalem Brigades declares its responsibility for the heroic martyrdom operation in Jerusalem today at about 12.00 noon. The operation was carried out by Hussein Omar Abu Naaseh, 23," a statement faxed to Reutersin Beirut said.
The bombing was the latest violence in over 10 months of a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
US President Mr George W. Bush said he "strongly deplored" the bomb attack.
Palestinian bombers have killed dozens of Israelis since the revolt flared in September after peace talks stalled.
In a seperate incident, a Palestinian sniper shot dead an Israeli near the West Bank town of Tulkarm today. Palestinian officials confirmed an Israeli had been killed near the Palestinian-ruled town. They said Israeli soldiers set up roadblocks after the shooting.