Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Sunday that Israel might step up its military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to avenge a wave of Palestinian suicide bombing attacks, Israel Radio reported.
"We have not finished our operations. In light of what is happening, we may have to step up our activities," Sharon said following a Palestinian suicide bombing attack in the northern Israeli city of Haifa Sunday morning.
At least eight Israelis suffered light-to-moderate injuries in the blast, and some 20 others suffered shock. So far, no Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the second of its kind in the city in a week.
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) condemned the attack and promised to arrest and bring to trial those responsible for theHaifa attack.
Israeli police were on high alert for possible suicide bombing attacks in the region.
(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2001)
