At least two people are dead this afternoon after a suicide-murderer blew himself up in downtown Jerusalem at around 4:30 PM. More than 50 wounded were taken to hospitals around the city, including four in serious or critical condition, and three with moderate wounds. The attack occurred at the intersection of King George and HaHistadrut Streets. The explosive was very powerful, and included screws and nails to maximize its deadly impact. Yasser Arafat\'s Fatah organization - specifically, the Al-Aqsa Brigades thereof - claimed responsibility for the attack. The number of Israelis killed in the Oslo War during the month of March now stands at 74.
Public Security Minister Uzi Landau said that even as efforts to achieve a ceasefire continue, \"our military forces must act to wipe out everything that has to do with the terrorist infrastructures.\"
Interior Minister Eli Yeshai went even further. \"There is no choice,\" he said today from the site of the murderous attack, \"but to take the very difficult decision of entering all the PA areas, for an extended time, until they beg *us* for a ceasefire.\"
Public Security Minister Uzi Landau said that even as efforts to achieve a ceasefire continue, \"our military forces must act to wipe out everything that has to do with the terrorist infrastructures.\"
Interior Minister Eli Yeshai went even further. \"There is no choice,\" he said today from the site of the murderous attack, \"but to take the very difficult decision of entering all the PA areas, for an extended time, until they beg *us* for a ceasefire.\"