2025 Bat Yam bus bombings

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2025 Bat Yam bus bombings
Location Bat Yam, Israel
Date20 February 2025;8 days ago (2025-02-20)
Attack type
 Bus bombing
Deaths0
Injured0

On 20 February 2025, three buses exploded from onboard bombs in the city of Bat Yam, Israel. Two other buses were found with identical bombs and failed to explode. No people were injured in the attacks. [1]

All bus, train, and light rail transport was paused in Israel by order of the Transport Minister, Miri Regev. [2] It was reported that one of the devices had the message "Revenge from Tulkarem" displayed on it. The message was a reference to an Israeli raid that had been carried out in the West Bank. [2] Hamas and its Tulkarm Brigade denied responsibility or involvement in the attack. [3]

Bombings

The buses were parked in separate stations approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) away from each other. [4] The first two explosions occurred within minutes of each other, while the third happened 15 minutes later. [5] The first bombing took place near the Bat Yam Municipal Stadium. It was reported by a security guard at 8:30 p.m. UTC+02:00. A second explosion occurred nearby, and a third took place near the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. [6] Three buses were destroyed in the explosions. [2] One bus was evacuated after a passenger noticed a suspicious object, and exploded shortly after. [7] Two other explosives that were found on buses in Bat Yam and Holon were taken to be defused by bomb squads. [8] No passengers were aboard any of the targeted buses at the time of the explosions, which had been parked at bus depots after completing their routes. [6] [9]

All five bombs were identical and attached to timers. According to Tel Aviv Police District commander Haim Sargaoff, they weighed between four to five kilograms and were intended to detonate in the morning of 21 February, possibly killing hundreds. [1] Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the bombs were composed of non-explosive materials such as fertilizer and urea, and were intended to detonate at around 9:00 or 10:00 a.m., but were set up incorrectly. [10]

Responsibility

Israel's Police Spokesperson's Unit said that the bombs used in the attack resembled those seen in the West Bank. [4] Following the bombings, Hamas's Tulkarm Battalion released a statement that read: "The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten so long as the occupier is present on our land… This is a jihad of either victory or martyrdom," without explicitly claiming the attack; eventually, the group denies responsibility. [11] A preliminary Israeli investigation found that the attack was conducted by Hamas from the West Bank with Iranian planning and funding. [10] The Shin Bet arrested three suspects the following day, including two Jewish Israelis who were suspected of transporting the bombers. [12] [13]

Aftermath

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to conduct a major operation against militant sites in the West Bank. [14] He also called for the Israel Police and Shin Bet to increase security measures against further attacks in Israeli cities. [15]

The IDF increased activities in the Seam Zone, blocked specific checkpoints leading to the West Bank, and announced that it would deploy three battalions to the West Bank following the bombings. [16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Multiple buses explode in central Israel in suspected terror attack". The Jerusalem Post . 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Three buses explode in Israel in 'suspected terror attack', police say". BBC News . 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  3. ↑ O'Connor, Tom. "Hamas Official Says No Evidence Links Group to Israel Bus Bombings". Newsweek.
  4. 1 2 "3 buses explode in suspected terror attack near Tel Aviv: Israeli police". ABC News. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Tel Aviv bus explosions: What happened and what we know so far". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Explosions rock bus depots in Tel Aviv area; authorities suspect bomb attack". Ynetnews. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Ben-Gvir slams Trump, Israeli government, calls for war after bus bombings". The Jerusalem Post. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  8. ↑ "No injuries from Israeli bus explosions in suspected militant attack, police say". AP News. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  9. ↑ "Bus blasts in Israel are 'suspected terror attack', say police". The Guardian. Associated Press. 20 February 2025. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Iran believed to be behind central Israel bus bombings, initial security assessment finds". The Jerusalem Post. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "3 buses explode in Bat Yam, Holon in suspected strategically planned terror attack". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  12. ↑ Raban, Dan; Ohana, Lior; Zitun, Yoav (21 February 2025). "Shin Bet arrests three suspects in bus bombings, including Israeli Jews". Ynetnews. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "Shin Bet arrests two Jewish-Israelis who drove terrorists to Bat Yam ahead of bus bombings". The Jerusalem Post. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  14. ↑ Livni, Ephrat (21 February 2025). "Multiple Bus Explosions in Israel Put Country on Terrorism Alert". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  15. ↑ "Netanyahu orders West Bank military operation after Israel bus blasts". CNN. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  16. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel. "2 Jewish Israelis, Palestinian said arrested in connection with botched bus bombings". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
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