Explosion in market in downtown Netanya; 20 people injured
By Ha'aretz Service and Agencies

Some 20 people were injured in an explosion in the market in the coastal town of Netanya at around 4:20 P.M. on Sunday.

Five of the injured were in serious condition, five sustained moderate wounds, and 10 were lightly injured. Israel Radio reported that several people were still trapped under the ruins of the market's collapsed roof.

The source of the blast appears to be a suicide bomber, who arrived at the market in a taxi.

The injured are being evacuated to Laniado Hospital in Netanya, Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Hadera, and Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba.

Eye-witnesses said the explosion occurred in a taxi at the entrance to the market.

The police received a warning of a possible terror attack in the Sharon area at around 4 P.M. Forces were beefed up along the Green Line border with the West Bank as a result.

"There was a sharp explosion," a witness, who gave his name as Baruch, told Israel Radio. He said the market was relatively empty at the start of the Israeli work week.

Netanya, close to the border with the West Bank, has been a frequent target of Palestinian suicide bombers. The Seder night suicide bombing on March 27 at the Park Hotel in Netanya, killed 29 people and precipitated the IDF offensive in the West Bank two days later.