Three Buses Explode in Bat Yam, Israel, in Suspected Terror Attack

Three buses exploded in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in what Israeli police are calling a “suspected terror attack.” Two additional explosive devices in other buses failed to detonate. Large police forces have been deployed to the area, searching for suspects.

In response to the explosions, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev halted all buses, trains, and light rail services across the country to allow for thorough checks for explosives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out a “large-scale operation against terrorist centers” in the West Bank, following the incident. At this stage, no casualties have been reported, according to the police.

Social media footage showed one bus engulfed in flames in a parking lot, with a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Police spokesperson Aryeh Doron confirmed that officers are still searching for additional bombs in Tel Aviv, urging the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious objects.

One of the unexploded devices, weighing 5kg, reportedly carried a message reading “Revenge from Tulkarem,” referencing a recent Israeli military operation in the West Bank.

In response to the attack, Netanyahu has instructed authorities to step up preventive measures against further assaults in Israeli cities. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Regev has cut short her trip to Morocco and is returning to Israel to oversee the response.