Three suicide car bombers target an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, killing 13 people as well as themselves. Minutes later two missiles were fired at an Israeli jet which had taken off from the city's airport. BBC News Interactive provides coverage and international reaction to the attacks.
Tuesday 3 December: 'Al-Qaeda' claims responsibility
An Islamist web site posts a statement purportedly from the al-Qaeda terror network claiming responsibility for the twin attacks. The statement, which could not immediately be verified, also warns Muslims not to co-operate with a possible US attack on Iraq.
Friday 29 November: Investigation begins
Kenyan police detained 12 people for questioning as Israeli and American experts arrived to help in the investigation. Israeli survivors began to arrive back home as Kenya asked how it too had become a target.
Thursday 28 November: Simultaneous attacks
Kenyan police said a four-wheel drive vehicle crashed through a barrier outside the Hotel Paradise and blew up when it hit the lobby. The attack happened as two missiles were fired at an Israeli jet which had taken off from Mombasa airport.
Eyewitness reports
The blast occurred just after some 60 visitors had checked into the hotel, all of them from Israel. A witness on the scene described seeing people covered in blood with injuries to their arms and legs inside the burning hotel.
Israeli response
The attacks come as important primary elections take place in Israel, with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon facing a party leadership challenge from Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ahead of January's general election. Mr Netanyahu called the attacks a "grave escalation of terror against Israel".
International impact
UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has expressed his "utter condemnation" of the attacks. He added that the government was urgently reviewing its advice to travellers destined for Kenya. But he said he had seen no evidence it was linked to al-Qaeda terrorists.
Who is to blame?
Kenyan and Israeli officials speculated that Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network might have been behind the attacks. If it is confirmed as the work of al-Qaeda, this would be the first direct attack on Israelis by the group.
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