JERUSALEM Ñ Israeli police announced the capture of a six-member squad accused of planning to bomb the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem and responsible for a spate of recent bombings.

The Palestinian insurgency cell, which planted several bombs in Jerusalem over the past two months, had planned to place a car bomb in front of the U.S. installation and also, security officials said.

The squad also planned to target cinemas, clinics, kindergartens and restaurants in Jerusalem, the sources said.

Israeli police said the six-member cell was aligned with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, whose leader was assassinated by Israel last month. The cell was composed of Arab residents of Jerusalem directed by PFLP leaders in Ramallah, Middle East Newsline reported.

Israel's capital continues to be rocked by Palestinian bombs. At least five bombs either exploded or were found in the city over a 24-hour period.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in Jerusalem, killing himself and injuring 13 passersby. The Hamas group was said to have carried out the attack.

"The attack was perpetrated by a Hamas suicide bomber," Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said. "I think his target was a very busy place such as a hospital or a school."

On Wednesday, Israeli military sources said the Palestinian Authority foiled a planned Islamic attack on Israel. The sources said the attack from Gaza was foiled by PA General Intelligence chief Col. Amin Hindi.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian, dressed as an ultra-Orthodox Jew, blew himself up in downtown Jerusalem.

Thirteen passersby were reported to have been injured. One of them was said to have been in critical condition. The bomber was said to have been killed.

The bombing on Tuesday took place during the morning rush hour near a hospital and a school attended by the children of diplomats. Police closed off the area and searched for other attackers or bombs.

On Monday, six Israelis were injured in four separate bombings. The bombs were planted in both the northern and southern neighborhoods of the city and targeted at least one school. The bombs exploded within a six-hour period.

The PFLP claimed responsibility for the bombings. The Damascus-based group said the bombings were meant to avenge the Israeli assassination last week of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa.

The PFLP has also targeted Jewish settlement leaders as part of its revenge campaign. A Jewish settlement leader was shot and wounded on Monday. Hours later, Israeli attack helicopters attacked a Palestinian Authority position near Hebron. U.S.-built AH-64A helicopters fired six missiles toward an installation of the PA General Intelligence in the Hebron-area town of Dura.

Two Palestinians were also reported killed in fighting in Hebron. Two Israeli soldiers were injured in a Palestinian bombing in the city.

"The Israel Defense Forces will continue to employ all the appropriate means in order to protect the safety of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers," an Israeli military statement said.

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