Several buses have exploded in Israel sparking fears of a coordinated terror attack – authorities are urging the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for suspicious items
Police are investigating the explosions of three buses in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in an incident they are describing as a “suspected terror attack”.
Officers said “large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects” while footage on social media has circulated showing a bus engulfed in flames in a car park, with a massive plume of smoke rising above it. There have been no reports of casualties at this stage, police said. Israeli Transport Minister Regev has ordered all buses, trains, and light rail trains in country to cease activity to conduct checks for explosive devices.
The National Federation of Bus Drivers’ Organisations meanwhile urged bus drivers to carry out “a thorough inspection of the buses while displaying maximum vigilance.” Authorities have urged the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for suspicious items.
Officers said they found five explosive devices that had either detonated or were successfully disabled this evening. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the devices in question had timers – with all explosions intended to happen at 9am tomorrow, but accidentally set for 9pm.
Tel Aviv District police chief Haim Sargarof told reporters on scene that police have concluded their searches of buses and trains in the area, and that they are still trying to figure out how many suspects were involved in the alleged attack.
A charred bus was captured in the aftermath of a blast which saw it go up in flames in the Bat Yam car park. In a clip shared online, sirens were heard blaring in the background as concerned members of the public watched the incident unfold. Despite the destruction, police say there have not yet been any reports of casualties and that they remain on scene to carry out their enquiries.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said: ‘”An attempted bomb attack is being investigated. Forces are on-site, searching the area.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being updated on the situation, his office said in a statement. He is due to hold a security assessment over the explosions shortly.
Shaken residents of Bat Yam described the moment the explosions rang out, which they said they initially mistook for a “tire explosion.” Ayala, who lives near one of the explosion sites, said: “We heard an explosion, and then another one. At first, we didn’t understand what was happening. We knew there was a ceasefire, so we realized it wasn’t a rocket.
“Suddenly, ambulances arrived, and WhatsApp groups were reporting two blasts and a large fire. At first, people thought it was a tire explosion, but as more reports came in, we understood it was a terror attack.” she told the Jerusalem Post. “It was terrifying—how was I supposed to go to work the next morning?”
Yossi, who had been out for a walk at the time, said: “I felt a slight tremor, and then we heard a massive explosion. I stepped outside and saw smoke rising from the parking lot. It was terrifying—I come here every day. You think it’s a safe place, and then suddenly, this happens right next to you.”
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to intensify its operations in the occupied West Bank in response to the bus attacks. “In light of the serious terrorist attacks that Palestinian terrorist organisations have tried to carry out in the Dan Bloc against the civilian population of Israel, I have instructed the Israel army forces to increase the intensity of activities to thwart terrorism in the Tulkarm refugee camp and in the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria in general,” Katz said.
“We will pursue the terrorists to the end and destroy the terrorist infrastructure in the camps that form the front line of the Iranian axis of evil,” he added. “The people who sponsor and shelter terrorism will pay a heavy price.”
It comes after Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinians in an attack on a house in the Far’a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Ambulance crews reportedly entered the house after the IDF left, finding body parts and traces of blood inside. The Israeli military claimed that the three Palestinians were “wanted terrorists who sold weapons for terror purposes”.