Jerusalem ? A Palestinian bomber blew himself up Monday at a busy crossroads in northern Israel. He killed only himself, but the second suicide attack in as many days demonstrated attackers still have the means and the will to strike despite Israel’s military offensive across the West Bank.

Also, Israeli officials disclosed that a Palestinian plan to detonate a 1-ton bomb in the parking lot beneath twin 50-story towers in Tel Aviv was thwarted three weeks ago. Troops raided a West Bank town, preventing the planned car bombing, according to an Israeli military officer and a government official. Last year, Israel arrested two Palestinians who had also planned to bomb the towers.

The officer, appearing at parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said Palestinian militants were trying to rebuild their infrastructure for bombing attacks. The officer and the government official, who was contacted by The Associated Press, both spoke on condition of anonymity.

Also Monday, Israeli troops entered the West Bank town of Tulkarem and arrested a woman who planned to carry out a suicide bombing, Israeli security sources said. Palestinian officials identified her as Thawriyeh Hamamreh, 24, from the village of Jaba near Jenin.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the dismissal of Cabinet ministers from two ultra-Orthodox parties, setting off a political crisis that could threaten his government.

Sharon made his decision after the two parties failed to support the government on an emergency economic plan. However, the dismissals would not take effect immediately, leaving time for last-minute dealing.