More violence and death in the Middle East: at least 7 people were killed and 192 injured when 3 bombs exploded in a crowded mall in West Jerusalem. The Islamic militant group, Hamas, has claimed responsibility, and warns of more attacks. A report on the recent events is followed by a discussion with two veteran Mideast negotiators.

CHARLES KRAUSE: Jerusalem's main pedestrian mall was turned into a bloody war zone this afternoon after three nail-studded bombs exploded with no warning, killing at least four Israelis and wounding nearly two hundred others.

The bombs were apparently carried and detonated by three suicide bombers belonging to Hamas, the Islamic militant group which claimed responsibility for the attack. Hamas also threatened more violence unless Israel releases an unspecified number of Hamas prisoners by September 14th.

Scores of Israelis have been killed in more than a dozen suicide attacks since 1993. Hamas has said its aim is to derail the Oslo peace process. One of the most deadly attacks came on July 30th, at an outdoor market just half a mile inside of today's bombing. Hamas claimed responsibility. Thirteen people died and more than a hundred and fifty were injured.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Palestinian Authority and its leader, Yasser Arafat, for the bombing. Within days, the Clinton administration stepped up its diplomatic efforts to survive the peace process. And Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had announced plans for her first trip to the Middle East.

MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, Secretary of State: Re-energizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process will not happen overnight. It will take time, but President Clinton and I remain committed to doing everything possible to help the parties to succeed.

CHARLES KRAUSE: American mediator Dennis Ross traveled to the region last month and appealed to Arafat to end the violence by renewing security cooperation with the Israelis and taking action against hard-line Islamic groups, such as Hamas. But Arafat defied both Israeli and Americans to crack down on the Islamic militants. And at a conference of Palestinian factions in Gaza he embraced Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi, Hamas leader. That action was denounced by both the Israelis and the United States. Today's bombing came just four days after the scheduled start of Sec. Albright's Mideast trip. This morning, President Clinton decried the violence but said it would not deter Albright's trip.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Hamas and the other terrorists, they thrive on the--on anger and anxiety uncertainty and being able to inject their murderers into this situation. I think it's all the more important for Sec. Albright to go and I've made it clear and I tried to call Prime Minister Netanyahu. He was in the hospital with the victims, and was not able to take my call but I look forward to a discussion with him. I think it's important to go on and go right out there, and we keep pushing this thing.

CHARLES KRAUSE: Reaction from Netanyahu and Arafat came this evening.

YASSER ARAFAT, President, Palestinian Authority: I condemn completely these terrorist activities, which is against not only the people who have paid their lives but also against the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, the peace process.

CHARLES KRAUSE: For his part, Netanyahu again blamed Arafat and the Palestinian Authority for today's bombing.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Prime Minister, Israel: The worst thing is that Arafat personally hugs and kisses the Hamas leaders and his security chief proclaims, as he did the other day, we're all partners in the same struggle. What struggle? The struggle to blow up women and children and babies?

CHARLES KRAUSE: Today's bombing was the 17th such incident since Israel and Palestinians signed the Oslo Peace Agreement almost four years ago.