Israeli forensic expert inspect the scene where a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba

Israeli police say a Palestinian suicide bomber has critically wounded two Israeli security guards in the Israeli city of Beersheba.

Police say the bomber detonated his explosives outside the city's main bus station during the morning rush hour. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas condemned the bombing - the first such attack since Israel began withdrawing Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet has approved the deployment of Egyptian police along Egypt's border with Gaza.

Under an agreement with Cairo, Egypt is to position 750 border police on the Egyptian side to replace Israeli troops trying to block cross-border smuggling.

Israel says all of its forces in Gaza will leave the border area by the end of September.