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Bat Yam, Israel – A series of coordinated bus explosions shook central Israel on Thursday evening in what security officials are calling a “planned mass terror attack.”
At least three bombs detonated on buses in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, with initial assessments linking the plot to Iran-backed Hamas operatives in the West Bank.
The Israeli Police confirmed that the explosives were set to detonate earlier in the morning but failed due to incorrect timers.
The devices, which contained non-standard explosive materials such as fertilizer and urea, were found to weigh between four to five kilograms each. Officials believe they were intended to maximize civilian casualties.
Despite the scale of the attempted attack, no injuries were reported. Israeli security agencies, including Shin Bet and the IDF, launched a nationwide manhunt for suspects involved.
Iran’s Alleged Role in the Attack
According to reports from Maariv, Israeli intelligence agencies have linked the attack to Iranian efforts to fund and arm Hamas-affiliated terror cells in the West Bank.
The Shin Bet has documented increasing Iranian involvement in the region, with Tehran allegedly providing training, financial resources, and materials for assembling explosive devices.
“Iran has been deeply involved in supporting and directing terrorist activity in the West Bank. They are supplying funds, training, and weapons,” an Israeli security official stated.
Terrorist Cell Claims Responsibility
Following the attack, the Hamas battalion in the West Bank’s Tulkarm refugee camp released a statement appearing to claim responsibility.
“The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten as long as the occupier is present on our land. This is a jihad of victory or martyrdom,” the statement read.
Israeli security officials believe the suspects infiltrated from the West Bank, where they had assembled the explosives before strategically placing them on multiple buses.
Security Response and Heightened Alert
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level security assessment late Thursday and announced that Israel would launch a “powerful operation” against terrorist strongholds in the West Bank. He also instructed the Shin Bet and Israeli Police to increase counterterrorism operations within Israeli cities.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered an immediate reinforcement of troops in the West Bank, with the IDF confirming the deployment of three additional battalions to the area. Security forces also sealed off several refugee camps suspected of harboring militant activity.
In response to the bombings, Transport Minister Miri Regev temporarily halted all buses, trains, and light rail services to allow for security inspections. Regev, who cut short her visit to Morocco, returned to Israel to oversee the situation.
Public Awareness Prevents Mass Casualties
One of the attacks was averted due to the vigilance of passengers and a bus driver. A passenger noticed a suspicious package on a bus in Bat Yam and alerted the driver, who immediately evacuated the bus and contacted authorities.
Moments later, the device detonated, but thanks to the swift actions of those on board, no casualties occurred.
Israeli police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. “This is a large-scale incident, and we are actively searching for those responsible,” said Tel Aviv Police District Commander Asst.-Ch. Haim Sargaroff.
As investigations continue, Israeli officials are preparing for potential further attacks and increasing preventive operations across the country.