Latest news with #HaimSargrof
Euronews
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Explosions reported in Israeli city of Bat Yam in what authorities say could be a 'terror attack'
Large units were dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident and search for clues and suspects. Authorities say they're aware of at least five explosive devices that either detonated or were disabled, with all of them having timer devices. Israeli media outlets are calling this a 'strategic terrorist attack'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the attack. Police say no casualties were reported, adding that the explosions targeted empty buses. They added that nationwide searches for additional explosives were completed on trains and buses as the hunt for suspects involved continues. '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. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation from police forces. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution, remain alert, report suspicious items and avoid the area until further notice.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Terror attack rocks Israel; three buses reportedly explode
Three buses in a parking lot exploded in Israel Thursday night in what appears to have been a terrorist attack. No one was injured. Several other bombs were reportedly discovered on other buses, according to TPS-IL, an Israeli news agency. Israeli officials have ordered all bus and train services halted while all vehicles are inspected for bombs following the three bus explosions. Three public buses exploded on Thursday night at around 8:30 PM as they sat at a bus depot in Bat Yam, a city located just south of Tel Aviv. Firefighters arrived on the scene and put out the fires. The buses were empty at the time and no one was wounded. Father Of Hamas' Youngest Hostages Is Released — But His Family Remains In Hamas Captivity Two other explosive devices were found under other buses after the police and Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, asked drivers to stop buses and check for devices. A preliminary police investigation determined that all the explosive devices were identical and equipped with a timer set to detonate on Friday, authorities said. The explosions took place just hours after Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The hostages were the first eight that Israel believes are dead and to be returned during the current phase of the ceasefire. Read On The Fox News App "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 said. The buses had finished their routes and were in a parking lot, said Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam. He said one of the unexploded bombs was being defused in the nearby town of Holon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been receiving updates from his military secretary on the incidents and is expected to hold a security assessment, his office said. Hamas Frees 3 More Hostages In Exchange For More Than 300 Prisoners As Part Of Ceasefire Deal With Israel The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was working with the Israeli Police and Shin Bet on the investigation. "Following an assessment of the situation, the IDF's intensified anti-terror activity in Judea and Samaria continues and will be focused according to intelligence findings," the IDF posted on X, using the biblical name for the West Bank. "At the same time, the IDF has blocked entry to Judea and Samaria in certain areas accordingly." On Thursday night, the IDF carried out airstrikes on the Lebanon-Syria border, with fighter jets targeting border crossings used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons. "These attempts constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon," the IDF said. Israeli forces reportedly targeted a truck carrying weapons at the al-Wawiyat crossing in Wadi Khaled, Lebanon. Israel has also conducted multiple military offensives against Palestinian militants in the West Bank following a Jan. 19 ceasefire. Following the bus bombings, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to ramp up operations in the West Bank. "In light of the severe terror attack attempts [in the Tel Aviv area] by Palestinian terror organizations against the civilian population in Israel, I instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of the counterterrorism activity in the Tulkarem refugee camp, and all the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria," he said. "We will hunt down the terrorists to the bitter end and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps used as frontline posts of the Iranian evil axis," he added. Israeli politician Benny Gantz said Thursday's incident "should be treated like a mega-attack." "We must not look at the result - but at the intention. We must not repeat the mistake of the attack that was prevented in Megiddo," he wrote on X. "To the attempt to murder dozens of Israelis on this difficult day - we must respond not only with tactical actions - but by directly intercepting the senders and the senders' financiers, and using powerful tools against the terrorist nests themselves. We must exact a heavy price that the terrorist organizations will not forget." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Terror attack rocks Israel; three buses reportedly explode
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.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suspected terror attack in Israel as multiple buses explode in Tel Aviv
Three buses have exploded in Israel in a suspected terror attack as police frantically search for suspects, according to reports. The vehicles burst into flames in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, after explosive devices planted on board were detonated, The Times of Israel reported. Israeli police said they were treating the explosions, which reportedly did not injure anyone, as a suspected terror attack. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was being briefed about the explosions and all buses across Israel have been stopped. Israeli police spokesperson Haim Sargrof said: '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." Sargof added that the explosives matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he did not give any more detail. Israel has repeatedly carried out military raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since Hamas' 7 October 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." Since the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza took effect on 19 January 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.
