Series of bus explosions in Israel, authorities cite new terror attacks
Photo: A series of bus explosions occurred in Israel on February 20 (timesofisrael.com)
In Israel, three buses exploded one after another. A total of five buses were planned to be blown up. A terrorist attack is suspected, according to the Times of Israel.
Initially, two empty buses exploded simultaneously in two parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam. Police immediately stated that the incident was likely an attempt at a coordinated terrorist attack.
According to the Bat Yam municipality, "miraculously, the buses arrived at the parking lots a moment before the explosion," which helped avoid casualties.
At the same time, all buses in the Tel Aviv area were ordered to undergo inspections.
Third bus explosion
Shortly afterward, a third bus exploded in a parking lot in Bat Yam. According to reports, this further strengthened suspicions that the series of explosions in Tel Aviv's suburbs was a coordinated terrorist attack.
"Officers halt light rail traffic in the area on suspicion that a suspect entered one of the train cars," the media states.
Police expressed even greater confidence that the incident was a terrorist act, although all possibilities are being considered.
Five buses targeted
A total of five buses were initially intended to be blown up. Two more explosive devices were defused at other locations.
All five explosive devices, whether detonated or neutralized that evening, had timers, and all explosions were supposed to coincide.
According to security sources, the incident was described as a "strategic terrorist attack."
Message left on the explosives
Additionally, reports indicate that one of the unexploded devices had a message that read "Revenge from Tulkarem" - a reference to the city in the West Bank where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently carried out a large-scale counterterrorism operation.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev instructed the head of the Public Transport Authority to stop and inspect "all buses, trains and light rail trains and act in accordance with the instructions of the Shin Bet and police" during the assessment of the situation related to the suspected terrorist attack.
Bus and train inspections completed
According to the latest information, police have completed inspections of buses and trains. Tel Aviv District police chief Haim Sargarof added that authorities are still working to determine the number of suspects involved in the likely attack.
He also clarified that a suspect whose name appeared in social media reports is actually "an innocent man" with no connection to the incident.
Reports indicate that the devices were originally intended to be detonated the following day when the buses would have been in motion.
Hamas claimed responsibility
The so-called Tulkarem Battalion of Hamas, based in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted a statement on its Telegram channel that suggests the group was behind the coordinated bus explosions in Tel Aviv.
The statement reads: "The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten so long as the occupier is present on our land… This is a jihad of either victory or martyrdom."
IDF closed access to parts of Judea and Samaria
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that, in coordination with the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the police, they are investigating the explosions in Bat Yam.
"In light of the severe terror attack attempts by Palestinian terror organizations against the civilian population in Israel, I instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of the counterterrorism activity in the Tulkarem refugee camp, and all the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria," the military said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi ordered security forces to assist the police "as necessary and to increase operations in the buffer zone area."
Terrorist attacks in Israel
Terrorist attacks occur frequently in Israel. For example, in December last year, a bus was shot at on a highway in the West Bank near Jerusalem, close to the village of Beit Jala, near a checkpoint. A 12-year-old child was killed in the attack.
In November 2023, unidentified gunmen opened fire near a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem. Reports indicated at least eight people were injured, and one person was killed.
