JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel will retake parts of the West Bank and hold them as long as terror attacks continue, the Israeli government said in a statement early Wednesday, outlining its response to a Palestinian suicide bombing on a Jerusalem bus that killed 19 passengers.

The statement, issued after late-night consultations between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ( news - web sites) and his top Cabinet ministers, said Israel's actions would include "a change in the way Israel responds to murderous acts of terror."

The statement said Israel would respond by "capturing Palestinian Authority ( news - web sites) territory. These areas will be held by Israel as long as terror continues."

Late Tuesday, Israeli tanks moved into the West Bank town of Jenin, cutting the town off from an adjacent refugee camp, Palestinian security officials said. Then tanks moved into the camp as attack helicopters fired from above, they said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

The violent Islamic Hamas claimed responsibility for the Jerusalem bombing and identified the attacker as Mohammed al-Ghoul, 22, from a refugee camp near Nablus.

The Israeli government statement said "Israel will shortly take Palestinian territory as outlined above," noting that "additional acts of terror will lead to taking of additional areas."