Suicide bomber kills 15 in Israel

A Palestinian suicide bomber struck with provocative timing and devastating force last night, killing 15 Israelis in a suburban snooker club, just as Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, was sitting down in Washington for talks with President George Bush.
The explosion at Rishon Letzion blew out ceiling tiles and the picture windows of the third floor hall, hurling people down into the parking lot, Israeli television said. It said at least 50 people were wounded, at least 12 seriously.

"The whole building flew in the air," Hanit Azulai told Israeli Radio. "It looked like a terrible dream."

A man filling up his car at a nearby petrol station said: "People were screaming from the windows. It was a terrible scene. People covered with blood, screaming."

"A Palestinian suicide bomber entered the billiard club and blew himself up inside," Israeli police commander Iftach Duchovny told army radio.

"The bomber came suddenly into the club and blew himself up," said another police commander, Haim Cohen, who described the bomb as "very powerful".

Israeli television stations said the explosive device was in a suitcase carried by the bomber.