At least three people were killed and some 30 others injured in an explosion occurred at the Hasharon shopping mall in the Israeli coastal town of Netanya late Tuesday, police sources said.

The huge explosion took place at around 6:30 PM (15:30 GMT) at the shopping mall, said the sources, adding that the mall was crowded with shoppers when the blast occurred.

They said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who apparently wore an explosive belt.

At least three people were killed, including the bomber, and 30 others injured, some in serious condition. Ambulances and rescue teams rushed to the scene.

Police said there had been no warning of a potential attack.

Netanya lies some 15 km away from the West Bank.

It is the first suicide attack in Israel since a member of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) blew himself up outside a Tel Aviv nightclub on Feb. 25, killing five Israelis.

Violence against Israeli targets have dropped sharply since Palestinian and Israeli leaders reached a ceasefire deal in February.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2005)