Israel raids West Bank after suicide bombing

Villagers in Deir al-Ghoson said soldiers told them the men were brothers of the suspected bomber who killed four Israelis outside a Tel Aviv night club on Friday and were also thought to have been involved.

The army confirmed the raid but gave no further details.

The bombing shattered a de facto truce by militants that has ensured several weeks of calm and reinforced hopes for peacemaking after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed a ceasefire on Feb 8.

The Palestinian Authority vowed to track down those behind the bombing. Israel said Abbas had to crack down on militants instead of just talking to the factions to try to get them to formalize the cease-fire.

Responsibility for the bombing outside a popular karaoke night spot on Friday remained unclear.

A cell of the militant Islamic Jihad group in the West Bank claimed the attack, but the faction's leadership in the Gaza Strip denied any knowledge and said it would continue to maintain calm.

Villagers said at least 15 Israeli army military vehicles raided Deir al-Ghoson, north of Tulkarm, and imposed a curfew before dawn.

A military source said: "The action is now over and the curfew has been lifted."

The bombing was the first since Nov. 1 and brought scenes of wailing ambulances and spattered blood that many Israelis had begun to believe that they had put behind them.

Sharon was to meet senior security officials on Saturday to discuss the response.

Israeli officials made clear that the Jewish state would "defend itself against terror," but said whatever action was taken would be in line with the ceasefire understanding.

They put the main onus to act on Abbas, who had until now been credited with delivering on his promise of calm.