Israel Rocked By 3 Bus Explosions In 'Suspected Terror Attack'

Last Updated:February 21, 2025, 07:43 IST

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused "Palestinian terrorist organisations" of carrying out the blasts, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to hold a security meeting.

Security forces and bomb disposal units are deployed to the scene of a bus explosion in Israel's Bat Yam. (AFP)

Three empty buses exploded in what Israel is calling a “suspected terror attack" near Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, as per local authorities. No injuries were reported in the attack, according to a local official.

Defence Minister Israel Katz accused “Palestinian terrorist organisations" of carrying out the blasts, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to hold a security meeting.

This came as Israel is currently negotiating a fragile truce deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas to stop the war in Gaza that has seen seven rounds of hostage exchanges so far. Under the first phase of the ceasefire, 19 Israeli hostages have so far been released by Hamas in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners in a number of swaps.

ALSO READ: Hamas Hands Over Dead Bodies Of 4 Hostages, Including 2 Young Boys, To Israel Under Truce Deal

Two blasts occurred in Bat Yam after bombs were placed on buses parked in a depot, authorities said. A third explosion was reported in Holon and an explosive devandice that was not detonated was found on a fourth bus, as per reports.

“Preliminary report – Suspected terror attack. Multiple reports have been received of explosions involving several buses at different locations in Bat Yam," the police said in a statement.

Three devices exploded on buses while two were being defused, a police spokesman told AFP. A large number of police were deployed to search for suspects, as per an official statement.

“Police bomb disposal units are scanning for additional suspicious objects. We urge the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for any suspicious items," it added.

Tzvika Brot, the mayor of Bat Yam, said in a video statement that there were “no injured in these incidents".

Television footage aired by some Israeli networks showed a completely burnt-out bus and another that was on fire. Israeli media said that bus drivers countrywide had been asked to stop and inspect their vehicles for additional explosive devices.

Netanyahu To Hold Security Meeting

A police commander from central Israel, Haim Sargarof said in a televised breifing that the devices used to set off the blasts were similar to those found in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Following the blasts, Netanyahu was set to hold a security meeting, his office said.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been receiving ongoing updates from his military secretary on the IED (improvised-explosive-device) incidents in the Dan (central) area and will soon hold a security assessment," the office said in a statement.

An official in the prime minister’s office said Netanyahu “views the placing of explosives on buses as a very serious incident and will order decisive action against terror elements in the West Bank".

In a separate statement, Katz said he had ordered the military to step up its offensives across the occupied territory, particularly in refugee camps.

“In light of the serious attempted attacks in the Gush Dan (central) area by Palestinian terrorist organisations against the civilian population in Israel, I have instructed the IDF (military) to intensify operations to thwart terrorism in the Tulkarem refugee camp and in all the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria," Katz said in a statement, using the biblical term for the West Bank.

The military has been carrying out near-daily raids in several West Bank cities and camps for several weeks now targeting Palestinian militants. Violence in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has escalated since the October 2023 outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip.

(with inputs from agencies)

Jerusalem, Israel

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