UK arrests over Tel Aviv blast
 |
A passport picture said to show Sharif, who is being hunted.
Story Tools
VIDEO
|
Suicide bombing kills three at beachfront pub in Tel Aviv.
|
SPECIAL REPORT
|
|
|
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Six people have been arrested in England in connection with a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to the Scotland Yard.
That suicide attack, which killed three civilians and wounded 55 at a cafe early Thursday, was carried out by British citizen Asif Hanif, 21, Israeli police said.
Authorities are still searching for a second British citizen, Omar Kahn Sharif, 27, who is believed to be the second would-be bomber at the cafe but was not able to detonate his explosives. He fled after a brief struggle with some Israelis who tried to stop him. (Briton hunted)
British police officers arrested five people -- two men and three women -- Friday evening in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, as part of an ongoing investigation into the Tel Aviv attack. Another man was arrested early Saturday in London.
All six were arrested under Britain's anti-terrorism act. Scotland Yard did not elaborate on the suspects' connection to Thursday's attack in Israel.
The attack is believed to be the first suicide bombing carried out by a foreigner in the 31-month-old Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, according to Reuters.
It was also the first in which the bombers crossed into Israel from Gaza rather than the West Bank, and Reuters reported that Israel has tightened security to prevent further infiltrations.
Britain has pledged to help catch the fugitive Sharif and those who may have helped the pair. On Friday, Chancellor Gordon Brown ordered British banks to freeze the two men's accounts.
"We must remain constantly vigilant in all areas in bearing down on terrorism and the sources that finance it," the chancellor said in a statement.
"We have taken immediate action to ensure that no UK funds belonging to those suspected of being responsible for this atrocity can be used."
