JERUSALEM — A female suicide bomber calmly walked into a popular Israeli restaurant early Saturday and detonated a 22-pound deadly device that killed up to 19 people, three of them said to be children.

The early-morning blast rocked the ultra-popular Maxim restaurant off its heels, completely toppling the establishment which sat near Haifa (search)'s beach promenade on the southern edge of the city.

Paramedics estimated that at least forty others were injured in the bombing, several of them seriously. Authorities said the bomber walked into the restaurant with the device strapped to his body and, without warning, quickly pulled the plug on it.

Initially there were conflicting reports as to whether or not the assailant was also armed, shooting to death a security guard before entering the building. Police said they are still investigating that theory.

Hours after the explosion, the militant group Islamic Jihan claimed responsibility for the attack. Not long after, speculation grew that the attack could spark Israel to take action against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The Israeli Cabinet threatened on Sept. 11 to "remove" Arafat, implying either expulsion or assassination, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suggested action would be taken against the Palestinian leader if there was another major suicide bombing with heavy casualties.

The incoming Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia (search), condemned Saturday's bombing as an "ugly attack" and urged all Palestinian groups to stop violence against civilians. The chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said he appealed to international mediators to ensure that Israel does not retaliate. "We don't want Israel to add fuel to the fire," he said...