Palestinians blame Sharon for blast

Islamic Jihad swore revenge for the killing of eight people in Nablus

By Kylie Morris in Gaza City

Palestinian power brokers have laid the blame for Thursday's bombing of a Jerusalem restaurant at the feet of prime minister Ariel Sharon.

They know that Sharon is the murderer of them because they accepted his terrorist attacks against our people in Bethlehem, Nablus and Tulkarem

Abdul Aziz Rantisi, Hamas

The people in the Palestinian territories meanwhile, are battening down in case of Israeli reprisals.

The military wing of Islamic Jihad may have claimed responsibility for the bombing, but popular opinion here is that it is Ariel Sharon who should carry the blame.

Palestinian Authority Information Minister, Yasser Abed Rabbo, says the PA holds Mr Sharon solely responsible.

Hamas political leader Abdul Aziz Rantisi says even the Israelis must know that it is their leader who is to blame.

Expense

"They know that Sharon is the murderer of them because they accepted his terrorist attacks against our people in Bethlehem, Nablus and Tulkarem. So they should know that Sharon wants to present himself to the world as a hero, on the expense of their blood," he said.

More than 90 people were injured in Thursday's blast

Dr Rantisi justified the bombing by saying there was no other way to stop the bloodshed of Palestinian people except by resistance.

Islamic Jihad leader, Abdullah al-Shammi, says the Jerusalem explosion shows that the Palestinian people can reach the heart of Israel.

"This blow was served at a time when enemy security forces, tanks and jets are on high alert. This operation came to tell the enemy that its military machinery, tanks, electronic equipment, security forces and police could not save them," Mr al-Shammi said.

But there is no doubting that Israeli forces can also reach the heart of the Palestinian territories.

In anticipation of any potential retaliatory strikes, Palestinian security forces have evacuated their posts and there have been reports of shelling in the Gaza strip, near the village of El-Maracha.

The Israeli defence forces say there was only light fire from three tanks which entered Palestinian territory returning fire from the Palestinian side.