Explosions rip through three buses in Bat Yam as police hunt for suspects and unexploded devices
Panic and chaos gripped Bat Yam, a coastal city south of Tel Aviv, after three buses exploded in what Israeli authorities are calling a suspected terror attack. The blasts, which sent plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky, were part of a coordinated assault, police said, with at least two additional explosive devices discovered before they could detonate.
As emergency services swarmed the affected areas, police spokesperson Aryeh Doron urged the public to stay alert, warning that further explosives could still be hidden. “Our forces are still scouring the area,” he told Channel 12. “We must treat every suspicious bag or object as a potential threat.”
Nationwide Transport Lockdown
In a swift response, Transport Minister Miri Regev ordered all buses, trains, and light rail systems across Israel to be halted until thorough security checks could be completed. Regev, who was on an official trip to Morocco, has cut her visit short and is returning to Israel immediately, according to state broadcaster Kan.
The explosions, which struck parked buses rather than those carrying passengers, miraculously resulted in no reported casualties so far. However, police say the devices were powerful enough to have caused significant loss of life had they detonated while the vehicles were occupied.
Footage circulating on social media showed at least one bus engulfed in flames in a parking lot, its windows shattered and metal frame twisted by the blast. Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion followed by a wave of panic as security forces cordoned off the area.
‘Revenge from Tulkarem’—A Chilling Message
Israeli media reports indicate that one of the unexploded bombs carried a note reading “Revenge from Tulkarem,” referring to a recent Israeli military operation in the West Bank city, a known hub for militant activity. This has intensified speculation that the attack was a retaliatory act against Israel’s recent counter-terrorism actions.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time in ordering an “intensive military operation” against suspected terror strongholds in the West Bank. His office announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) have been instructed to ramp up preventive actions in Israeli cities to thwart further potential attacks.
Israel on Edge
This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. Recent months have seen an uptick in deadly clashes, as well as a surge in terror-related incidents targeting Israeli civilians and security personnel.
Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, Israeli authorities are working on the assumption that a well-organised cell was behind the bombings. Intelligence agencies are now racing to identify those responsible and prevent further violence.
The explosions in Bat Yam mark one of the most serious security breaches in recent months, underscoring the persistent threat of terrorism in the region. With Netanyahu’s directive for intensified military action, the coming days could see an escalation in operations against suspected militants.
For now, Israel remains on high alert, with police and security forces deployed across major cities to prevent further bloodshed. As investigators work to unravel the full scale of the plot, one chilling reality remains—had the bombs detonated inside moving buses, the tragedy could have been far worse.
