OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, May 19 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - At least four people were killed plus the bomber and dozens wounded in a bomb attack Monday, May 19, at the entrance of a shopping center in the northern Israeli town of Afula.

The bomber detonated his explosive belt after a security guard prevented his entry into the shopping center, Aljazeera satellite channel reported.

The Israeli Haaretz newspaper, quoting an Israeli official, put at 31 the number of wounded persons, who were evacuated to hospitals in Afula and Haifa or received medical treatment on the scene. Eight were seriously wounded and the remainder were in light to moderate condition, the daily quoted one Israeli official as saying.

The Israeli Shin Bet security service had received 54 terror attacks warnings, but there were no specific warnings that bombers were targeting Afula, the daily added.

The Islamic Jihad resistance movement claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondent.

The caller, who wished to remain anonymous, only said that the group had perpetrated the bombing and added that a statement with more details would be issued later.

The blast was the fifth in Israel and the Palestinian territories in 48 hours.