Israel Blames Syria for Tel Aviv Blast

Israel's defense minister has blamed Syria and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad for Friday's suicide bombing outside a Tel Aviv nightclub.

The blast killed four Israelis and wounded more than 60 others. It came weeks after an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz did not threaten military action against Syria, but he has frozen plans to hand over security responsibilities to the Palestinians in several West Bank towns. Syria has denied involvement in the attacks.

The Syrian-based group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility, but some Palestinian officials blame the Lebanese-based Hezbollah.

Israeli and Palestinian police, acting separately, have arrested nine people allegedly connected to the bombing. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to find those responsible.