Israel extends detention of suspects it accuses of planning suicide attacks for al-Qaida

ASHKELON, Israel – An Israeli court has extended by two days the detention of two Palestinian men it suspects of planning to bomb the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv under instructions from al-Qaida.

Israel accuses Eyad Abu Sara and Rubin Abu Nigma of planning a suicide bombing at the embassy and a major convention center in Jerusalem. It says they received their instructions over the Internet through a handler in the Gaza Strip who had direct ties to al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

A third suspect was arrested last week but did not appear in court Sunday with the two others.

Israeli security officials have long warned of a growing threat posed from al-Qaida-linked terrorists. But last week's announcement marked the first time Israel explicitly accused the group of being behind an attempted attack.