There has been a huge explosion at a hotel frequented by Israelis in the Egyptian resort town of Taba. The Egyptians are trying to blame it on gas canisters, but DEBKAfile reports a suicide car bomb.

Scores of injured Israelis, some carrying wounded children, are making their way from burning Taba hotel on Egyptian side of border to border terminal. Egyptian police refuse to let them pass through to Israel because their passports left in rooms of devastated hotel. Western part of building has caved in. Israel’s Homeland Command takes charge of crisis. Air Force on call.

Bomb car suspected of blasting hotel full of Israeli families causing large number of casualties, including fatalities. They were left untended in pitch dark because Egyptian border police refused to let fleet of Israeli ambulances and rescue teams on emergency call to cross in from Israel.

UPDATE at 10/7/04 2:39:33 pm:

There are reports of two more explosions nearby.

UPDATE at 10/7/04 2:41:33 pm:

Israel Insider is reporting celebrations in Gaza and Cairo.