Islamic Jihad claims Tel Aviv bomb

JERUSALEM, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad claimed a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on Thursday that wounded at least 16 people, Israeli media said.

In the Gaza Strip, senior Islamic Jihad leader Khaled al-Batsh said he could neither confirm nor deny responsibility but praised the bombing.

"Regardless of who carried out the attack, it was a natural response against the continued Israeli assassination of fighters and killing of innocents," he said.