Terrorist attack thwarted in Haifa...

It was planned to be a huge attack...

A grave disaster was prevented in Haifa's Lev Hamifratz Mall on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting. "The terrorists tried to detonate a heavy demolition charge of dozens of kilograms of explosives, and fortunately if didn't explode," he said.

"As far as Israel is concerned, this was a terror attack for all intents and purposes," the prime minister added. "The citizens' alertness and the police and security forces' quick response prevented a grave disaster.

"The State of Israel views this terror attack seriously. Initial investigations show that this was a terror infrastructure believed to be operating in the West Bank and aimed at causing a mass-casualty event," he noted.

"We mustn't kid ourselves. The attempted terror attacks in the State of Israel continued and continue, originating among other places in the West Bank, where Hamas seeks to establish its infrastructure and status. It seeks to do so by continuing on the road of terror and causing heavy damage to Israel's citizens," the prime minister added, expressing his appreciation for the security forces, the Shin Bet, the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police.