An explosion in a car south of the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv has killed at least one person and wounded three others, rescue and ambulance services said.

Police at the scene said that the blast appeared to be the work of criminals because the bomb was under the driver's seat and only the driver was killed.

"I can confirm an explosion took place in Rishon Letzion, near a winery in the centre of the town. There are a number of casualties," Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, told the AFP news agency.

Cars and buildings as far as 200 metres away from the blast were damaged. Police closed the area and bomb experts were on the site, police said.

Israel has stepped up security in recent days, in the run up to the Yom Kippur holiday, which falls on October 1.

PHOTO CAPTION

Israeli soldiers hold back those who wish to cross the border.