HIGHTLIGHTS: Palestinian Resistance Targets Israeli Trains For the First Time||Dozens Detained at Amary Refugee Camp Near Ramallah||Sharon Hints at Resuming Talks With the Palestinians|| STORY: A bomb has exploded on a railway track near the central Israeli town of Lod. The blast occurred as a train passed over the spot, but only four people were slightly injured. (Read photo caption)

The attack came during the early morning rush hour on Sunday morning, at the start of the Israeli working week. Rail services were disrupted.

Sunday's bombing is the first time an attack has been reported on a train, although Palestinian Resistance bombers have frequently targeted buses, killing scores of Israelis.

"At this stage of the inquiry, everything leads us to believe that this was a Palestinian attack," Israeli Police Superintendent Gil Kleiman told the French AFP news agency.

ISRAELI ATROCITIES CONTINUE IN THE WEST BANK & GAZA

A Palestinian youth was reported wounded Sunday morning by occupation army gunfire in an apparent disturbance that erupted as tanks ran over farmland in the Gaza Strip area of Rafiah.

In Ramallah, Israeli troops hunting for alleged Palestinian militants went house-to-house at al-Amari refugee camp and detained dozens of people but freed most after questioning, witnesses and Israel Radio said.
Another 60 Palestinians were reported detained in the village of Tamoun near Nablus, a militant stronghold.
Israeli military sources said two Palestinian ambulances had been stopped in Ramallah with 27 people inside, some of them wanted Palestinians who were being interrogated. There was no immediate comment from the Palestinians.
Palestinian Deputy Health Minister Munther al-Sharif told Reuters only medical crews were in the ambulances.


SHARON HINTS AT RESUMPTION OF TALKS WITH THE PALESTINIANS

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suggested at the cabinet meeting Sunday morning he would take steps toward resuming talks with the Palestinians, on condition that what he calls terror attacks are halted.

Sharon was quoted by Israel Radio as telling ministers he would start consultations with foreign and defense officials about this process in the coming days, so that Israel would have the initiative.

He spoke after a brief meeting with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres about the political ramifications of US President George W.Bush's speech last week on the Middle East.

PHOTO CAPTION

A train passes the site where a bomb went off on a railroad in the central Israeli city of Lod as a train passes near to the spot Sunday, June 30, 2002. Four passengers were taken to hospital suffering from shock. The track was only lightly damaged and is expected to be back in service later Sunday. (AP Photo/Eitan Hess-Ashkenazi)
- Jun 30 5:25 AM ET