DOGPILE ON THE RABID:

Israel Blames Syria for Suicide Bombing (AP, Feb 26, 2005)

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz blamed Syria on Saturday for a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv, and Israel's Army Radio reported that he also froze plans to hand over security responsibilities in the West Bank to the Palestinians.

Israeli security officials also said they may resume assassinations of the leaders of the militant Islamic Jihad group, which claimed responsibility Saturday for the bombing. The officials said on condition of anonymity that the recent cease-fire forged with the Palestinians no longer applies to Islamic Jihad, which has links to Syria.

Cut to the chase--do Assad.

MORE:
Islamic Jihad claims responsibility (Matthew Gutman and Jpost Staff, Feb. 26, 2005, THE JERUSALEM POST)

The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility on Saturday evening, from Damascus, for the deadly attack in Tel Aviv on Friday night.

"The period of calm was set for one month, and that month is over," said Abu Tark, a senior member of the Jihad movement. "Israel did not obey the agreement, and that's what led to our action."

The announcement confirms the security establishment's earlier suspicions, which also estimated that the Hizbulla was not involved.

Defense officials estimated that the Islamic Jihad in Damascus had operated via one of its cells in the Tulkarm area.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 26, 2005 8:30 PM