The Palestinians' new Hamas leaders called yesterday's attack of suicide bomb in Tel Aviv a legitimate rejoinder and befitting reply to Israeli's "aggression". The Islamic Jihar also confirm that they have a well trained unit of over 100 suicide bombs, both men and women, and of which 70 are always ready to attack Israel on just a short notice.

Israel said it held Hamas ultimately responsible even though a different militant group, Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility and would respond "as necessary", as per Daniel Robinson, Tel Aviv.

"We shall, of course, continue to use all means at our disposal to prevent every other attempt," Israeli Prime Minister-designate Ehud Olmert said.

Israeli defence chiefs were meeting late last night, but security officials said a possible reoccupation of Gaza, the base of the new Hamas government, was not being considered.

The White House strongly condemned the attack, in which a suicide bomber killed nine people along with himself, calling it "a despicable act of terror for which there is no excuse or justification".

There are various other peaceful organizations and countries who do not see any justification in this sort of attack.

Dr. Raj Baldev, Chairman, National Integration Assembly (NIA), World Peace Mission Body, described it in New Delhi, "Such attacks and killing the innocent people of Israel would not serve any useful purpose. Bloodshed never pays in either way, rather it escalates the issues."