Jerusalem: In a major blow to the US-backed roadmap for peace in the Middle East, twin Palestinian bombings - one at a bus stop outside an Army base near Tel Aviv and another five hours later at a popular Jerusalem nightspot- killed at least 14 Israelis and wounded dozens.

The attacks came as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was away on a visit to India. The Israeli Premier has decided to cut short his visit following the twin blasts and will return to Israel on September 10 evening.

Hours after a bomber set off explosives at a crowded bus stop outside Tsirfin Army base near Tel Aviv, another bomber detonated a device outside the Hillel cafe in Jerusalem overnight, media reports said.

The first bombing came at about 18:00 hours local time as soldiers were waiting for rides home outside the Tsrifin Army base near Tel Aviv suburb of Rishton Letzion.

Ambulances, paramedics and police rushed to the bomb scene. Police and hospital sources were quoted as saying that eight were killed in addition to the bomber. Fifteen people were being treated at hospital.

More than five hours later, at about 23:20 hours local time, another suicide bomber entered the Hillel cafe, a popular German Colony district of West Jerusalem. The bomber is said to have detonated the explosives as a bodyguard tried to prevent him from entering the cafe.

At least six people were killed and more than 30 wounded, they said.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for both attacks which came after new Israeli attacks on its leadership.

PTI