Israel on Wednesday blamed a suicide bombing, which killed at least five people in a northern Israeli city, on the Palestinian National Authority's failure to crack down on militant groups.

David Baker, an official in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, said, "The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) should once and for all disarm and dismantle the militant groups."

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the suicide bomb attack showed that "violent language transformed into violent action", referring to recent Palestinian militant threats against Israel.

Member of the Knesset (Parliament) Shaul Yahalom said the misleading illusion of security provided by the West Bank separation fence has exploded in the face of the attack.

Minister of Communications Dalia Itzik subsequently cancelled a meeting with her Palestinian counterpart in the wake of the attack.

The Islamic Jihad (Holy War), a major Palestinian militant group, claimed responsibility for the bombing, which took place in Israel's northern seaside city of Hadera on Wednesday afternoon.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured.

Jihad said the attack was a retaliation for the Israeli killing of its West Bank military leader Loay Saadi on Sunday night. The group has vowed "blood for blood" revenges.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the suicide bombing, saying it harms the Palestinian interests.

"President Abbas condemned the suicide bombing in Hadera and he expressed his anger over the attack," said a statement issued by Abbas' Office.

"The attack harms the Palestinian interests and could widen the cycle of violence, chaos, extremism and bloodshed," it said, adding "it is not permitted for anyone to take the law into their own hands."

Source: Xinhua