Netanyahu calls May to offer condolences, support after attack

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, to offer his condolences after the terror attack in Manchester.

“Netanyahu expressed Israel’s condolences to the British people after following the horrific attack in Manchester,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. The prime minister said that “Israel will be ready to provide any assistance necessary for the joint war against terrorism.”

Britain has raised its terror alert to the maximum level and ordered troops to protect strategic sites following the suicide bomb attack in which 22 people were killed after a pop concert by US pop star Ariana Grande.

May condemned the attack for its “appalling sickening cowardice” and for “deliberately targeting innocent defenseless children and young people.”

The bomber used an improvised explosive device apparently packed with nails and other metal objects, outside one of the exits at the 21,000-capacity arena.

The suspected bomber has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a British student dropout born to Libyan parents who fled the regime of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Interior minister Amber Rudd confirmed on Wednesday that Abedi was known to intelligence services and that it was “likely” he was not working alone.

British police on Wednesday made three more arrests over the attack, after detaining a 23-year-old man on Tuesday. Police also carried out raids in the south Manchester area of Fallowfield where Abedi lived.

Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins confirmed later Wednesday that Abedi had not acted alone, and that the four people detained in the wake of the attack remained in custody.

“It’s very clear that this is a network that we are investigating,” Hopkins said.

Both the Conservatives and Labour had suspended campaigning for the June 8 general election immediately after the attack but will resume again on Friday, officials said.

“The British people are united in their resolve that terror will not prevail. It will not prevent us going about our daily lives or derail our democratic process,” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement.

“Resuming democratic debate and campaigning is an essential mark of the country’s determination to defend our democracy and the unity that the terrorist have sought to attack,” he said.

French interior minister Gerard Collomb said Abedi had become radicalised after a trip to Libya and probably Syria, according to information received from British intelligence services.

“In any case, the links with Daesh are proven,” Collomb said, using another term for the Islamic State group.

IS on Tuesday claimed responsibility through its social media channels, saying “one of the caliphate’s soldiers placed bombs among the crowds,” and threatening more attacks.