Booby-trap bomber shot dead in Israel

Five Israelis were slightly injured when a Palestinian suicide bomber detonated a booby-trapped car early today outside the entrance of a Tel Aviv nightclub

Eyewitnesses said that the bomber attempted to detonate the car at the entrance to the Studio 49 club. According to the police, the bomber had attempted to enter the nightclub but was shot dead by a security guard

The district police commander praised the security guard, who Israel Radio identified as 36 yearold Eli Federman. As Mr Federman was shooting, it appears the bomber detonated the explosive device in the car. During a sweep of the area in search of additional explosive devices, police evacuated people at nearby nightclubs.

Several large clubs are situated in the area, which is a popular destination for young Israelis on Thursday nights, effectively the start of the weekend in Israel.