Bus explosions in central Israel suspected terrorist attack

Xinhua quoted Israeli police as saying it was a large-scale attack with simultaneous explosions planned in at least five locations. The explosions occurred in three buses parked in different parking lots in the city of Batyam, when no one was inside. Two other buses were found to contain explosives in different areas, which were defused before they exploded.

Israel's emergency services said there were no reports of casualties.

"There were no casualties as a result of these incidents," Batyam Mayor Zvika Brodt said in a video statement quoted by AFP.

A police statement said: "Suspected terrorist attack. Several reports have been received of multiple bus explosions in different locations in Batyam."

A large number of police have been deployed to search for the suspects, the statement said. The statement added: "The police bomb squad is searching for more suspicious items. We urge the public to avoid these areas and remain vigilant for any suspicious items."

Central Israel police commander Haim Sagalov told a televised news conference that the device that triggered the explosion was similar to one found in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israeli Defense Minister Israeli Katz blamed "Palestinian terrorist groups" for the blast, which came ahead of a security meeting to be held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Katz said he had ordered the military to intensify its offensive in the West Bank. He said in a statement: "In light of attempts by Palestinian terrorist groups in the central Gush Dan region to carry out serious attacks against Israeli civilians, I have directed the IDF to intensify its operations, To thwart terrorist acts in the Tulkarem refugee camp and all refugee camps in Judea and Samaria." Gush Dan is the biblical name for the West Bank.

Television footage broadcast on some Israeli television stations showed one bus completely burnt out and another on fire. Israel has asked bus drivers across the country to stop and check their vehicles for other explosive devices.

The Israeli security services have been involved in the investigation and are checking all buses in and around Tel Aviv in the search for more possible explosive devices. Public transport across Israel has been suspended and security checks are being carried out.