Tel Aviv, Israel ? A suicide bombing at a crowded restaurant during Passover killed nine people and drew a divided response from the Palestinian Authority – a sharp departure from previous governments’ immediate condemnations of such attacks.

Hamas, which took control of the Palestinian legislature 2 1/2 weeks ago following its election victory, defended Monday’s attack – claimed by a separate Islamic militant group – as a legitimate response to Israeli “aggression.”

“We think that this operation … is a direct result of the policy of the occupation and the brutal aggression and siege committed against our people,” said Khaled Abu Helal, spokesman for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry.

But the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah party, condemned the bombing and said he had ordered Palestinian security forces to prevent future attacks.

“These kinds of attacks harm the Palestinian interest, and we as an authority and government must move to stop it,” Abbas said. “We will not stop pursuing anyone who carries out such attacks.”

Abbas is currently in a power struggle with Hamas, and it remains unclear who is ultimately in charge of the Palestinians’ security forces.

Israeli police explosives experts inspect the site of a suicide bomb attack near a fast food restaurant in Tel Aviv Monday, April 17, 2006. A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up near the restaurant in a bustling commercial area of Tel Aviv during the Jewish holiday of Passover on Monday, killing himself and eight people and wounding 49 in the deadliest Palestinian attack in more than a year. Media reports said the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for Monday's attack, which came a day after the group pledged to carry out more such attacks.

Israel said it held Hamas responsible for the attack in Tel Aviv even though a separate group, Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility. Islamic Jihad has close ties to Israel’s archenemy, Iran.

Hamas, responsible for dozens of suicide bombings in recent years, has largely observed a 16-month truce with Israel. But Monday’s bloodshed and the group’s hard-line stance could set the stage for harsh Israeli reprisals and endanger Hamas’ efforts to secure desperately needed international aid and acceptance.

The bomb attack took place just two hours before Israel’s newly elected parliament was sworn into office, and Prime Minister-designate Ehud Olmert said Israel would react with appropriate means.

In an initial response, Israeli aircraft attacked an empty metal workshop in Gaza City early today, causing no injuries. The army said the workshop was used by the Popular Resistance Committee’s militant group to manufacture homemade rockets to launch at Israel.

The bombing was the first inside Israel since the Hamas Cabinet took office. Militants from Islamic Jihad celebrated by handing out pastries on the streets of Gaza.