Suicide bomb attack in Israel kills 3

A Palestinian suicide bomber has killed three people in the popular Israeli resort of Eilat and Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have claimed joint responsibility, according to reports.

The suicide bombing is the first attack of its kind to take place in Israel for nine months and the first suicide attack to have occurred in Eilat.

A bakery was torn apart by the explosion and bread lay on the pavement alongside blood from the victims of the blast.

Eilat is visited by around 180,000 visitors a year with tourists attracted to the region for its glorious Red Sea climate.

Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was quoted by Reuters as saying: "I believe Eilat will overcome this blow and will continue to be the happy and magical city we have come to know."

A spokesman for the Aqsa Brigades, which is part of the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, told the news agency that the bomber was a 21-year-old man named Mohammad Faisal Siksiki from Gaza City.

Israel has not confirmed what action it will take in the aftermath of the attack which is sure to escalate tensions in the country even further after the recent conflict with Hizbullah in Lebanon.