A potential mass-casualty event was narrowly avoided in Israel Thursday night when three empty buses exploded in a Bat Yam parking lot. Authorities discovered several more unexploded devices on other buses, prompting a widespread halt to bus and train services as security forces meticulously inspected vehicles for additional threats. The explosions occurred around 8:30 PM in Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv.
Police, along with the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security service), urged bus drivers to thoroughly check their vehicles after the initial explosions. This led to the discovery of additional explosive devices. Preliminary investigations suggest the devices were identical and set to detonate on Friday, raising concerns about the planned scale of the attack. The incident occurred shortly after the return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
Authorities are working to determine whether a single individual or multiple suspects planted the explosives. Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot confirmed the buses were out of service and parked when the explosions occurred. He also noted that one unexploded device was being defused in nearby Holon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered intensified counterterrorism operations in the West Bank and increased preventative measures within Israeli cities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), working with police and the Shin Bet, have intensified counterterrorism activities in the West Bank, focusing on areas identified through intelligence. They have also implemented selective entry restrictions into the West Bank. In a separate incident, the IDF carried out airstrikes on the Lebanon-Syria border, targeting Hezbollah weapon smuggling routes. Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to escalate operations in the West Bank, particularly within refugee camps believed to harbor terrorist infrastructure.
Israeli politician Benny Gantz stressed the severity of the attempted attack, emphasizing the intent behind it, even though no casualties resulted. He advocated for a strong response targeting not only the perpetrators but also those who finance and direct such actions.
