The market area was packed in Bethlehem today. I wasn't sure if it
was because people were preparing for the Islamic holiday Sunday or
people were worried about a possible military invasion. It's almost
11 pm now, and this part of Bethlehem is totally quiet.
Bob

Policeman Turns Suicide Bomber and Kills Ten

Press Association (edited by Bob)

A Palestinian police swapped his uniform for a suicide bomber's
outfit today and blew himself up on a crowded bus outside Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's residence killing 10 passengers and
wounding 50 bystanders.

The bomber, identified as Ali Jaara, 24, a Palestinian policeman from
the Aida refugee camp on the outskirts of Bethlehem, left a note
saying that he wanted to avenge eight Palestinians killed in fighting
with Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip the day before.

Bethlehem is one of only a few Palestinian towns not under Israeli
military control.

Jaara, who lived in a two-storey home in the West Bank with his
parents and nine siblings, was described by relatives as quiet and a
devout Muslim who showed little interest in politics.

His father, Munir, said Jaara was the only breadwinner in the house,
and had been hoping to start a family.

"I was expecting to marry him, not to bury him," the father said.

Distraught relatives filled the house, as Jaara's mother sat on a
mattress on the floor, crying uncontrollably. She carried a picture
of her son in a police uniform carrying his police-issued Kalashnikov
rifle. Many family members said they opposed militant attacks against
Israelis.

"These operations are not only not good for us, but really bad for
us. They only hurt us," said his 26-year-old sister, Ola.