Israel Matzav

At least 14 casualties were reported following a suicide bombing at the "Mayor's Shawarma" fast-food stall outside Tel Aviv's old central bus station on Thursday afternoon.

One of the wounded was reported to be in serious condition, two others were moderately wounded. The three were taken to Tel Hashomer Hospital outside of Tel Aviv.

Ten others were lightly wounded and rushed to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv and Wolfson Hospital in Holon.

After sealing off the area the police found a body in the shwarma stall and concluded that it was the bomber.

Tel Aviv district commander David Tzur confirmed that the attack was of a terrorist, not criminal nature.

In addition, the police launched a search in the area looking for suspicious people and cars. Tzur and Insp.-Gen. Moshe Karadi also beefed up forces patroling the seam line to prevent further attacks.

Israel Police were searching for a car that was seen fleeing from the scene after the terrorist entered the store. Police helicopters flew overhead, hoping to catch the terrorist's driver.

The incident took place at the crossing of Solomon and Neve Sha'anan in southern Tel Aviv. This place was known for a relatively high presence of foreign workers, making the early identification of the bomber much more difficult than in other places.

No terrorist organization has yet taken responsibility for the attack.

Unlike Jerusalem or Netanya, Tel Aviv is not near the 'green line.' Where did the bomber come from? How did he get there? Who armed him and with what? One thing is certain: Expelling all the Jews from Gaza did not buy us 'peace.'

(Update 5:28 PM) HaAretz reports that Islamic Jihad has taken 'responsibility' for today's blast.

Despite Islamic Jihad's claim of responsibility for the bombing, the attack was possibly the initiative of a Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades branch operating in the Balata refugee camp adjacent to Nablus.

During the past several days, the branch of the militant group has threatened to disrupt Palestinian parliamentary elections in the city by carrying out terror attacks. This particular branch of Al-Aqsa, which is the military wing of the Fatah faction, is headed by camp resident Ala Sanakra.