HIGHLIGHTS: Device Arouses Suspicion Due to an Overall Security Alert Throughout Israel Wednesday||First Israeli Killed in Afula Bomb Attack Identified||Ereqat Links Afula Bus Blast to 35th Anniversay of 1967 War|| STORY: Israeli Police demolition experts safely dismantled a small pipe bomb today in downtown Jerusalem, a spokesman said.

The bomb was planted in front of an old building on Strauss Street.

Traffic had been shut to the area during the afternoon as police handled the device, which aroused suspicion particularly due to an overall terror alert throughout Israel Wednesday.

A similar device was found and defused next to an apartment building in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood a week ago.

FIRST ISRAELI KILLED IN RESISTANCE BOMB ATTACK IDENTIFIED

The Israeli Occupation Army meanwhile identified one of 16 Israelis killed in the bombing at Megiddo junction as Sgt. Violetta Hizguyev, 20, of Hadera. (Read photo caption)

The bodies of 13 Israelis killed in the attack have been identified at the Abu Kabir forensic institute nar Tel Aviv.


EREQAT LINKS BUS BOMBER CAR BOMB ATTACK TO SIX-DAY WAR

Senior Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat has said Wednesday's bomber car bomb attack at the Megiddo junction marks the 35th anniversary of the Six-Day War.

In an interview with CNN, Erekat added it "marks 35 years of continuing occupation with no end in sight."

Erekat also said that since the occupation army is in control of major PA areas and was enforcing a tight closure, the Palestinians could not be held responsible for being unable to thwart Resistance attacks.

He said it was high time Israel completely withdrew from the territories.

PHOTO CAPTION

Palestinian inmates at Megiddo Prison stand and look at the nearby scene of a deadly car bomb at Megiddo Junction in northern Israel, Wednesday, June 5, 2002. An Islamic militant ignited a massive fireball when he blew himself up in a car packed with explosives alongside a crowded Israeli bus Wednesday, killing at least 16 passengers and wounding dozens. According to Israeli police, inmates broke out in cheers at the sound of the explosion. (AP Photo/Yigal Levy)
- Jun 05 9:30 AM ET