Israel Bus Explosions: IDF, Police Suspect Militant Attack, No Death Or Injuries Reported

Amid the ceasefire and rounds of hostage exchanges between Gaza and Israel, a series of explosions on three parked buses rattled central Israel on Thursday. As per a report by the Associated Press (AP), the authorities suspected this one to be a militant attack. However, no injuries or deaths were reported.

Visuals emerged on social media where investigators in white coveralls were seen searching for evidence inside the burned-out metal shells of the buses, which blew up in a parking lot in Bat Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv.

About The Explosions

The explosions happened after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal.

Quoting Police spokesman Asi Aharoni, AP reported that the explosives were found on two other buses as well but they did not detonate. According to Israeli police, all the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers.

The city's mayor, Tzvika Brot, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. The buses had been parked after finishing their routes, he said.

The head of the bus company said they immediately ordered all bus drivers to stop and conduct a "thorough inspection". They resumed their routes once they were found to be safe, Ofir Karni said.

Israel Suspects Hamas

According to an NDTV report, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused "Palestinian terrorist organisations" of carrying out the blasts.

"Preliminary report - Suspected terror attack. Multiple reports have been received of explosions involving several buses at different locations in Bat Yam," the police said in a statement, as per NDTV.

A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on the messaging app Telegram: "We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands." However, the group did not claim responsibility for the attack.

Responding to the development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was receiving updates from his military secretary, and following the events. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police said.

"We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects," police spokesman Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV.

Sargrof said the explosives used Thursday matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate.