In a swift response to a series of bus explosions south of Israel's financial hub, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a military operation in the occupied West Bank. The blasts occurred in the cities of Bat Yam and Holon, with a third explosion reported in Holon. Fortunately, no casualties resulted from the detonations, which involved explosive devices planted on empty buses. The incidents prompted Israel to heighten security measures across the country, halting bus and train services temporarily.
The Israeli military plans to deploy three additional battalions to the West Bank by Friday morning. This move is part of an increasingly militarized campaign targeting militants in the region. This year alone, the West Bank has experienced 38 airstrikes, with advanced weaponry and controlled detonations becoming more frequent. The operation has displaced at least 40,000 Palestinians in the northern West Bank, according to the United Nations.
The bus blasts took place just hours after the Palestinian militant group Hamas released the bodies of four hostages held in Gaza since its October 7, 2023 attack. However, Israel accused Hamas of violating a deal by returning remains in one casket that did not match any hostage. These events have escalated tensions, leading to Netanyahu's directive for military action.
Netanyahu's office described the blasts as an "attempt to perpetrate a chain of mass bus bombings" and stated that they had "ordered the IDF to carry out an intensive operation against centers of terrorism." Additionally, they instructed the Israel Police and the Israel Security Agency to ramp up preventative measures against potential future attacks within Israeli cities.
Photos from Bat Yam depicted two charred buses at the depot, with forensic teams actively working at the scene. The explosions have sparked concerns over public safety and have underscored the volatile situation between Israel and Palestinian groups.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, recently warned of the escalating forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the northern West Bank. The situation has been progressing at an "alarming pace," further complicating efforts for peace and stability in the region.
