Tel Aviv: Amid the ceasefire between Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas militants, a series of explosions jolted the capital Tel Aviv on Thursday. The explosions occurred in three parked buses. The authorities have suspected the incident to be a militant attack. However, no casualties have been reported so far in the incident. It is noteworthy that these explosions happened on a day when Israel was mourning as Hamas returned the bodies of hostages as part of their ceasefire deal.
According to authorities, explosives were found on two more busses but did not detonate, Channel 13 TV reported citing police spokesman Asi Aharoni. The police stated that five bombs were loaded with timers and the bomb squad defused the undetonated bombs, securing the area.
Investigators wearing white protective suits examined the charred remains of buses that exploded in a parking area in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv. The mayor of Bat Yam, Tzvika Brot, remarked that it was fortunate that no injuries occurred, noting that the buses were parked after completing their routes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office updated that he was in constant touch with the military secretary and was receiving updates from him. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police informed.
“We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects,” Israeli TV reported citing police spokesman Haim Sargrof.
Sargrof said the explosives used Thursday matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate.
Israel’s military has conducted numerous operations targeting suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In response to these events, Israel has significantly limited the entry of Palestinians from the occupied territories into Israel. A group that identifies as part of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, based in Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, stated on the messaging platform Telegram: “We will always seek retribution for our martyrs as long as the occupation remains on our land.” The group has not taken responsibility for any specific attack.
Notably, Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been central to Israel’s extensive military operations in the West Bank following the ceasefire in Gaza that began on January 19.
Earlier, Hamas militants infiltrated Israel and executed shootings and bomb attacks in various Israeli cities. Brot, the mayor of Bat Yam, advised residents to maintain their daily routines while remaining alert, stating in an interview with Channel 13 TV that schools will be open on Friday and public transportation will continue to function.
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