Israel ‘terror attack’: Police investigate ‘explosions of several buses’ | World | News
Israeli police have reported a “suspected terror attack” after a number of buses burst into flames.
Emergency services raced to the incident in the city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on Thursday.
Police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. He called on the public to be alert and report any suspicious objects to authorities. Police said the Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation.
The explosions took place just hours after Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza, including two children, the first of eight hostages that Israel believes are dead and to be returned during the current phase of the ceasefire.
A police spokesman said: “Multiple reports have been received of explosions involving several buses at different locations in Bat Yam. Large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects. 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.”
Haim Sargrof, from the Israeli police, said drivers had later scanned all buses and trains, and those scans were complete.
He said: “We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects.”
Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. He said the buses had finished their routes and were in a parking lot. He said one of the unexploded bombs was being defused in the nearby town of Holon.
Mr Sargrof said the explosives matched those used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate.
Israel has repeatedly carried out army raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since Hamas’s October 7 terror attack.
As part of that crackdown, it has greatly restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the territory.
Since the ceasefire in Gaza took effect on January 19, Israel has been conducting a broad military offensive against Palestinian militants in the West Bank. In the past, militants have entered Israel and carried out shootings and bombings in Israeli cities.
Israeli transport minister Miri Regev has ordered all buses, trains, and light rail trains in country to stop to conduct checks for explosive devices.
The National Federation of Bus Drivers’ Organisations has ordered bus drivers to carry out “a thorough inspection of the buses while displaying maximum vigilance”.
