Kennebunkport: US President George W Bush on August 4 urged all nations to help end anti-Israeli terrorism, saying the latest bombing of a bus in Israel distressed him.

"I'm distressed to hear about the latest suicide bombers in Israel," the President said in response to questions about the bombing near the Northern Israeli town of Safad that left at least nine people dead and 50 wounded.

"I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers," he added.

The Islamic militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it a "martyr operation".

Barely three hours later, a gunman opened fire on an Israeli telephone company car in occupied East Jerusalem, according to police. That assault has left three people dead, including the gunman, and 10 wounded.

A sombre-looking Bush, who spoke before announcement of the shooting incident in Jerusalem, said a co-ordinated effort by international community was needed to stop the bloodshed.

"There are a few killers who want to stop the peace process that we have started, and we must not let them," said the President. "For the sake of humanity, for the sake of the Palestinians who suffer, for the sake of the Israelis who are under attack, we must stop the terror."

The President, who was preparing to play golf, said the world community must do everything it can to halt terrorist attacks "for those who yearn for peace in the Middle East, for those in the Arab lands, for those in Europe, for those all around the world who yearn for peace".