EXPLAINER
The explosions come as Netanyahu accuses Hamas of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, but no casualties have been reported.
Here’s what we know about the incident so far:
When and what happened in Israel?
Starting about 8: 30pm (18: 30GMT) on Thursday night, three explosive devices began detonating inside three buses in southern Tel Aviv, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
The third bomb detonated about 15 minutes later than the first two bombs, which both went off just before the third one. All of the buses were empty.
Israeli responders searched the area and discovered more explosives on two other buses that didn’t detonate. According to the police, each of the five bombs had timers and was identical.
Where in Israel did the bus explosions occur?
The buses exploded in several parking lots in Israel’s central cities of Bat Yam and Holon, each about 10km (6 miles) south of Tel Aviv.
Was anyone hurt?
The buses were parked and empty after completing their routes, so no injuries were reported.
The explosives were likely going to explode on Friday morning, according to police, as drivers were getting ready to work.
Bat Yam’s mayor, Tzvika Brot, said it was a miracle no one was hurt.
Who carried out the attack?
It’s still unclear. Israeli police say they are investigating a “suspected terror attack”, but no group has claimed responsibility.
As long as the occupation continues on our lands, the Tulkarem Battalion, a fighting group based in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, declared on Telegram: “We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs.”
However, the group did not appear to claim responsibility for the explosions.
What do we know about the investigation?
According to The Times of Israel, the district police chief in Tel Aviv, Haim Sargarof, described the bombs as improved explosives with the hallmarks of coming from the West Bank. He continued, authorities are still looking into whether one suspect or several suspects planted the bombs, even though no proof has yet been found of the possible perpetrators of the explosions.
The Shin Bet internal security agency in Israel is currently in charge of the investigation.
How have Israeli authorities responded?
The Public Transit Authority was instructed to stop and check all buses, trains, and light rail trains, as well as Israeli cities, in a high-risk manner.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, also mandated an escalation of the Israeli military’s already violent raids in the occupied West Bank, where police believe the suspects may be from. The Tulkarem refugee camp, a center for Palestinian resistance that has been the target of some of Israel’s most destructive raids since October 7, 2023, was specifically highlighted by him.
Katz vowed to fight against terrorists until the end, destroying the terrorist infrastructure in the camps that make up the Iranian axis of evil. “The people who support and protect terrorism will be in great debt.”
Nour Odeh, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, claimed that the “intense Israeli military action” is causing Palestinians in the West Bank to grow even more feared.
Source: Aljazeera
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