- विज्ञापन -
Jerusalem: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered an increase in military raids in the occupied West Bank following a series of explosions on buses, which he has labeled as a “terror attack.”
Katz stated that in response to serious attempted attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups against Israeli civilians, he has directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to enhance operations specifically in the Tulkarem refugee camp and other refugee camps in Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also instructed the military to conduct intensive operations in the West Bank after the bus explosions near Tel Aviv on Thursday, which were characterized as suspected terrorist activity. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries from these blasts. Although no group has claimed responsibility yet, Hamas’ Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm praised the attack, stating that the “revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten as long as the occupier is present on our lands.”
Katz emphasized that those behind the attacks would pay a “heavy price” and that efforts to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure would intensify. The raids will particularly focus on the Tulkarem refugee camp and other camps throughout the West Bank.
Israeli media reported that the Shin Bet security agency is examining whether the individuals responsible for the explosives originated from Tulkarm, as evidence found on one of the devices hinted that the attack might be a retaliatory act for recent Israeli military actions that caused significant damage in the region.
In this incident, three empty buses exploded within a short time frame, and additional explosives were discovered on two more buses. As a precaution, public transport services, including buses and trains, were temporarily halted nationwide for security checks.
These explosions occur against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, which has been in effect since January 19, despite ongoing accusations of violations from both sides. Recently, Hamas released the bodies of four hostages, but the ceasefire has generally held since its establishment.
