‘Road map’ threatened after weekend violence

‘Road map’ threatened after weekend violence

Palestinians have been prevented from travelling in or out of Israel following intense violence witnessed in the last two days.

Israeli soldiers closed borders with the West Bank and Gaza Strip after a double suicide attack in Jerusalem killed eleven people including the two bombers.

Suicide bombers struck three times late Saturday and early Sunday, killing nine Israelis.

In one attack, a suicide bomber killed seven and wounded 20 after getting on a bus dressed as an Orthodox Jew, reportedly wearing a skullcap and prayer shawl.

Earlier on Saturday, another bomber, also dressed as a Jew, killed two in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

Officials believe Hamas and Islamic Jihad are behind the attacks, though the groups have yet to claim responsibility.

On Saturday, Israeli troops killed two Palestinian militants, assumed to have infiltrated a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. A teenager was killed in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said.

Despite the latest suicide bombings, Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has pledged to press on with peace talks with Palestinian counterpart Mahmud Abbas.