Jerusalem: At least 10 people were killed and scores of them wounded on October 4 when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a beach restaurant in the Israeli port city of Haifa.

The attack targeted a popular restaurant on Haifa's beach promenade on the southern edge of the city. On weekends, the beach is packed with people.

According to police sources, the suicide bomber set off the blast with explosives strapped on to his body. Initial reports suggest that 10 people died and around 24 more injured in the blast.

Recently, Israel had imposed a blanket closure on West Bank and Gaza ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, that begins on October 5 and ends by October 6.

Israel imposes such blanket closures during Jewish holidays fearing attacks by Palestinian militants.

Agencies