A suspected terror attack occurred in Israel on Thursday night, involving explosions on three buses in a parking lot. No injuries were reported. An Israeli news agency, TPS-IL, indicated that more explosive devices were discovered on other buses.
Following the explosions of three public buses around 8:30 PM at a bus depot in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, Israeli officials have suspended all bus and train services for vehicle inspections.
Firefighters extinguished the fires. The buses were empty, preventing any injuries.
Police and Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, discovered two additional devices under other buses after requesting drivers to halt and inspect their vehicles.
A preliminary police investigation revealed that all explosives were identical and equipped with timers set to detonate on Friday. The incident occurred shortly after Hamas released the remains of four hostages held in Gaza, believed to be among the first confirmed dead to be returned during the current ceasefire phase.
Police spokesman Haim Sargrof stated the need to determine whether a single suspect placed explosives on multiple buses or if multiple suspects were involved.
Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot reported that the buses were parked after completing their routes, and one unexploded bomb was being defused in Holon.
After a security assessment, Israeli Prime Minister ordered a robust operation against “centers of terrorism” in the West Bank and increased preventative measures against potential attacks in Israeli cities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is collaborating with the Israeli Police and Shin Bet on the investigation.
The IDF stated on X that intensified anti-terror activities would continue in Judea and Samaria, based on intelligence findings, and that entry to Judea and Samaria had been blocked in specific areas. Judea and Samaria are biblical names for the West Bank.
The IDF conducted airstrikes on the Lebanon-Syria border on Thursday night, targeting Hezbollah’s weapon smuggling routes.
The IDF asserted that these attempts were a clear violation of the ceasefire agreements between Israel and Lebanon.
Reports indicate Israeli forces targeted a truck carrying weapons at the al-Wawiyat crossing in Wadi Khaled, Lebanon.
Israel has launched several military operations against Palestinian militants in the West Bank since the Jan. 19 ceasefire.
Following the bus bombings, Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to increase operations in the West Bank.
He stated that due to the severe terror attack attempts by Palestinian terror organizations against Israeli civilians in the Tel Aviv area, he instructed the IDF to intensify counterterrorism efforts in the Tulkarem refugee camp and all refugee camps in Judea and Samaria.
He added that they would relentlessly pursue the terrorists and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps used as frontline posts of the Iranian evil axis.
Israeli politician Benny Gantz described Thursday’s incident as a potential “mega-attack.”
He emphasized the importance of considering the intent behind the attack, rather than solely the outcome, and called for a strong response that targets not only the perpetrators but also their financiers and support networks. He posted this on X.
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