Bus explosions hit central Israel ahead of Gaza ceasefire talks

Israeli police stated on Thursday evening that explosions occurred on three buses in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv. An official indicated that no one was injured in the incident. Initial police reports suggest a suspected terrorist attack, with multiple buses exploding in different locations within Bat Yam, raising concerns about coordinated efforts.

Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed "Palestinian terrorist organizations" for the bombing, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to convene a security meeting. A police spokesperson told Agence France-Presse that the explosive devices were identical, timer-operated bombs, three of which had detonated, while two others were discovered and were being dismantled. Israeli police stated that they were searching for suspects, intensifying security measures in the area.

The mayor of the Mediterranean coastal city, Tzvika Brot, stated in a video statement that "no one was injured" in the incidents. Footage aired on some Israeli television channels showed one bus completely burned out and another on fire. Israeli media reported that bus drivers across the country had been asked to stop and inspect their vehicles for additional explosive devices, heightening vigilance nationwide.

Netanyahu's office stated that Netanyahu planned to convene a security meeting following the explosions. The statement read: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been receiving ongoing updates from his military secretary regarding the IED incidents in the Dan region (central) and will conduct a security assessment shortly." An official in the Prime Minister's office stated that Netanyahu "views the placing of explosives on buses as a very serious incident and will order decisive action against terrorists in the West Bank," signaling a potential escalation of conflict.

According to the BBC, Israeli media reported that an unexploded five-kilogram device had a message written on it: "Revenge from Tulkarm." Katz stated in a separate statement that he had ordered the military to step up its offensive in the occupied territories, particularly in refugee camps, specifically mentioning Tulkarm. Israel stated that its "intensified counter-terrorism activities" in the occupied West Bank would continue, despite international concerns about the impact on civilian populations. Israel has launched a fierce offensive in the northern West Bank, displacing over 40,000 Palestinians, the most since the 1967 war.

The bus explosions occurred at a critical moment, with Israel and Hamas poised to begin negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These negotiations would focus on the post-war governance of the region. Saudi Arabia was scheduled to host other Arab nations in Riyadh on Friday to discuss Egypt's post-war plan for Gaza. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a pre-recorded video vowing retaliation after Hamas handed over the remains of four deceased hostages, including a baby and his four-year-old brother, further complicating the already tense situation.

Netanyahu said: "The blood of our loved ones cries out to us from the soil and compels us to settle accounts with the despicable murderers, and we will do so." In this incident, as with previous hostage releases, Hamas demonstrated that its organizational and military capabilities remain intact. It also attracted large crowds of Palestinians, showcasing its continued influence. Israel launched a fierce offensive on Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and vowed to completely eliminate the group's power, a goal it has yet to achieve.

Israel has killed at least 48,319 Palestinians, mostly women and children, during its bombing campaign and invasion of the region. Thousands remain missing, maimed, or orphaned, highlighting the devastating human cost of the conflict.