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Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn for five people killed in
yesterday's bomb attack. Photographs: Reuters |
The United States have condemned Israel's seizure of the unofficial Palestinian Liberation Organisation headquarters in Jerusalem and a raid on the West Bank as a "serious political escalation" of the Middle East conflict.
Urging both sides to refrain from "incitement and provocations" a State Department official criticised Israel's retaliatory tactics following a suicide bombing in Jerusalem yesterday which killed 15 people along with the Palestinian bomber.
"We are concerned about the Israel actions against Orient House and the Palestinian town of Abu Dis," said the official on condition of anonymity.
"These actions represent a serious political escalation, undermine faith and confidence in a negotiated settlement of this conflict and increase the risk of further deterioration of the political situation."
Israeli forces took over the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's unofficial east Jerusalem headquarters, Orient House, replacing the Palestinian flag with the Israeli flag earlier today.
In another Israeli operation, Israeli police occupied a Palestinian Authority and security office in Abu Dis, a Palestinian official said.
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Volunteers inspect a pram after yesterday's bombing
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Earlier today, Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat accused Israel of carrying out a step-by-step plan to recapture Palestinian areas. "The Palestinian people are left with no choice but to escalate resistance and the Intifada [uprising] to liberate Holy Jerusalem and regain the Orient House and all other Palestinian institutions," he told reporters.
The death toll from yesterday's suicide bombing rose to 16 overnight, with another 80 people reported injured. The bomber was one of those killed.
The Jewish mayor of Jerusalem said last night the city was now in a "state of war".
But Israeli Public Security Minister Mr Uzi Landau said Israel did not plan to cede control of the headquarters, which he said had been challenging Israel's sovereignty over Jerusalem .
AFP & AP