Israel bus explosions rock Tel Aviv area in suspected terror attack

( NYPost )

Three buses in Israel detonated Thursday in what police are investigating as a suspected terror attack, according to multiple reports.

Two empty buses exploded simultaneously in different parking lots in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, before a third one went up in flames, according to Israeli media reports.

Additional bombs were also planted on two other buses in Bat Yam and Holon but failed to explode. They have since been disabled, police said.

Videos circulating on social media show the vehicles engulfed in flames, with large plumes of smoke blackening the sky. Images also show the charred frame of one bus following the explosion.

No casualties have been reported.

“Multiple reports have been received of explosions involving several buses at different locations in Bat Yam,” the Israeli Police Spokesperson’s Unit said, ABC News reported.

“Large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects. Police bomb disposal units are scanning for additional suspicious objects.”

In total, five bombs were planted on five different buses in Central Israel, Tel Aviv District Police Chief Haim Sargarof told reporters, according to The Times of Israel. 

He said the explosives appear to be makeshift with timers attached.

“At this time, the event is ongoing, our forces are still scouring the area,” police spokesperson Aryeh Doron told Israeli Channel 12.

“We may be lucky if indeed the terrorists set these timers to the wrong hour. But it’s too early to determine.”

One of the unexploded devices included a message saying “Revenge of Tulkarem” – referring to a recent Israeli military counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank, local outlets reported.

In response, Defense Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the Israel Defense Forces to boost operations in the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed police and the Israel Security Agency Shin Bet to “increase preventative activities” in cities across the Jewish state to avert similar attacks.

Authorities halted all buses, trains and light rail trains in the country to search for additional bombs, according to Israeli media reports.

Bus drivers throughout the country have also been advised to search their vehicles before traveling, several Hebrew media outlets reported, with security also reinforced at Ben Gurion Airport.

A massive search is underway for potential suspects, police said.

Police are urging the public to avoid the areas and stay on high alert for any suspicious items.