3 buses explode in Israel in suspected mass bombing attempt
What's the story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a major crackdown on terrorist hubs in the West Bank. The order came after a security assessment late on Thursday night, following the explosion of three empty buses in quick succession in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon. The police suspect the incidents to be terror attacks but reported no injuries.
Security measures
Explosive devices neutralized, public transport services halted
Police said they also neutralized two other unexploded devices in Holon. Each reportedly contained five kilograms of explosives. Police said they were combing the sites for suspects, while bomb technicians were looking for any other suspicious devices in the area. For safety reasons, Transportation Minister Miri Regev has ordered a suspension of public transport services for searches and cut short her visit to Morocco.
Investigation update
Media reports suggest 'revenge threat,' multiple suspects involved
Tel Aviv District police chief Haim Sargarof said the devices had timers and seemed like improvised explosives from the West Bank. Sargarof said there was "something written" on the devices, probably referring to media allegations of a written "revenge threat" from the West Bank city of Tulkarem. A Telegram channel claiming to represent Hamas's Tulkarem Battalion issued a statement, saying the "revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten" but didn't claim responsibility for the blasts.
Security response
Nationwide security measures heightened, IDF intensifies operations
Channel 12 news reported that the devices were meant to explode on Friday morning but detonated early due to incorrectly set timers. Police believe multiple suspects were involved in planting the bombs. Nationwide, bus drivers have been ordered to check their vehicles before leaving. Security has also been tightened at Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem's light rail system. Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "We will hunt down the terrorists to the bitter end and destroy the terror infrastructure."