A suicide bomber has struck a nightclub in Tel Aviv, in the first such attack since Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to a cease-fire earlier this month. The attack late Friday in a crowded seaside area killed at least four people and wounded more than 50. There have been conflicting claims of responsibility by people who say they represent Palestinian militant groups.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called an emergency meeting of his security chiefs early today (Saturday), and the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack. Israeli officials demanded that Palestinian authorities dismantle militant groups. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on the Palestinians to turn their condemnation of terrorism into action. Friday's attack was the first inside Israel since November first. Mr. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed on a ceasefire earlier this month. Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have refused to officially join the ceasefire, but said they would observe a truce.