Latest news with #AsiAharoni
Sky News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Bus explosions in Israeli city - as IDF to step up West Bank operations
Multiple explosions involving buses have been reported in an Israeli city - with the country's defence minister instructing the IDF to intensify operations in the West Bank in response. A police spokesperson called the incident in Bat Yam a "suspected terror attack" after receiving "multiple reports" of explosions "involving several buses at different locations" in the city, located south of Tel Aviv. They said in a statement: "Large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects. "Police bomb disposal units are scanning for additional suspicious objects. "We urge the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for any suspicious items." The police force said on social media that "no injuries have been reported at this stage". Later they added that the Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation. Speaking to local broadcaster Channel 12, an Israeli police official said the bombs used were with a timer and were non-standard explosives. They added that investigators believe the bombs look similar to those made in the West Bank, but it is not confirmed where they were made. Israeli police spokesperson Asi Aharoni separately told Channel 13 TV that undetonated explosives were found on two other buses. A group identifying itself as a branch of Qassam Brigades - Hamas' military wing - from the northern West Bank city Tulkarem later said on Telegram: "We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands." IDF told 'intensify' West Bank operations It comes as defence minister Israel Katz said he instructed the IDF to "intensify counter-terrorism operations in the Tulkarem refugee camp and throughout refugee camps in the West Bank". He added: "We will pursue the terrorists relentlessly and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps, which serve as a forward base for the Iranian axis of evil. "Residents who provide shelter and protection to terrorists will pay a heavy price." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office added in a statement that he was being updated by his military secretary on the situation, and would soon hold a security assessment. Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, also called it a miracle that no one was hurt, and said the buses had finished their routes and were in a car park. He said one of the unexploded bombs was being defused in Holon, a town near Bat Yam. Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on 19 January, the IDF has been conducting a broad military offensive in the West Bank.
CBC
20-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Series of explosions on buses rattle Israeli city in suspected militant attack
A series of explosions on buses rattled central Israel on Thursday in what authorities suspected was a militant attack. No injuries were reported. The explosions happened on a day when Israel was already grieving after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza. The bus explosions were reminiscent of bombings during the Palestinian uprising of the 2000s, but such attacks are now rare. Police spokesperson Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. Israeli police said the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers, and said bomb squads were defusing the unexploded bombs. Bomb disposal units had finished searching buses and trains nationwide for additional bombs, and police were on the scene in Bat Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv, as they searched for suspects. "We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects," police spokesperson Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV. Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. The buses had finished their routes and were in a parking lot, he said. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police said, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was receiving updates from his military secretary and following the events. Sargrof, the police spokesperson, said the explosives matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate. Israel has repeatedly carried out military raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, sparked the devastating war in Gaza. As part of that crackdown, it has greatly restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the occupied territory. A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas's military wing, Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on messaging app Telegram: "We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands." The city of Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been a focus of recent Israeli army raids. Since the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza took effect on Jan. 19, Israel has been conducting a broad military offensive in the West Bank. In the past, militants have entered Israel and carried out shootings and bombings in Israeli cities. Brot, the mayor, urged the public to keep their routines. Schools will be open tomorrow and public transport will be operating.
NBC News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Series of explosions on buses in a parking lot rattles Israel
JERUSALEM — A series of explosions on three buses in a parking lot rattled central Israel on Thursday in what authorities suspected was a militant attack. No injuries were reported. The explosions happened on a day when Israel was already grieving after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza. The bus explosions were reminiscent of bombings during the Palestinian uprising of the 2000s, but such attacks are now rare. Police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. Israeli police said the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers, and said bomb squads were defusing the unexploded bombs. Bomb disposal units had also finished searching buses and trains nationwide for additional explosives and police were on the scene Bat Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv, as they searched for suspects. 'We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects,' police spokesman Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV. Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. The buses had finished their routes and were in a parking lot, he said. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police said, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was receiving updates from his military secretary and following the events. Sargrof, the police spokesperson, said the explosives matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate. Israel has repeatedly carried out military raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack sparked the devastating war in Gaza. As part of that crackdown, it has greatly restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the occupied territory. A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on messaging app Telegram: 'We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands.' Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been a focus of the recent Israeli army raids. Since the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza took effect on Jan. 19, Israel has been conducting a broad military offensive in the West Bank. In the past, militants have entered Israel and carried out shootings and bombings in Israeli cities. Brot, the mayor, urged the public to keep their routines. Schools will be open tomorrow and public transport will be operating.
Voice of America
20-02-2025
- Voice of America
Israel reports several bus explosions; no injuries reported
Israeli police on Thursday reported a series of explosions on buses in central Israel in what they said appeared to be a militant attack. No injuries were reported. Police forces rushed to the scene in Bat Yam, a Tel Aviv suburb, as they searched for suspects. Police said bomb disposal units were searching for additional bombs. Police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. He called on the public to be alert and report any suspicious objects to authorities. Police said the Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation. The explosions took place just hours after Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza — the first of eight hostages that Israel believes are dead and to be returned during the current phase of the ceasefire.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
No injuries from explosions on Israeli busses in a suspected militant attack, police say
A series of explosions on three buses in a parking lot rattled central Israel on Thursday in what authorities suspected was a militant attack. No injuries were reported. The explosions happened on a day when Israel was already grieving after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza. The bus explosions were reminiscent of bombings during the Palestinian uprising of the 2000s, but such attacks are now rare. Police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. Israeli police said the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers, and said bomb squads were defusing the unexploded bombs. Bomb disposal units had also finished searching buses and trains nationwide for additional explosives and police were on the scene Bat Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv, as they searched for suspects. 'We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects," police spokesman Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV. Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. The buses had finished their routes and were in a parking lot, he said. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police said, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was receiving updates from his military secretary and following the events. Sargrof, the police spokesperson, said the explosives matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate. Israel has repeatedly carried out military raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack sparked the devastating war in Gaza. As part of that crackdown, it has greatly restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the occupied territory. A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on messaging app Telegram: 'We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands.' Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been a focus of the recent Israeli army raids. Since the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza took effect on Jan. 19, Israel has been conducting a broad military offensive in the West Bank. In the past, militants have entered Israel and carried out shootings and bombings in Israeli cities. Brot, the mayor, urged the public to keep their routines. Schools will be open tomorrow and public transport will be operating. 'Keep your routines at school, with public transportation, but with heightened awareness,' he told Channel 13 TV.
