Investigator in white coveralls searches for evidence inside the burned-out metal shells of the buses, in Bat Yam on Thursday —AP

Agencies BAT YAM (Israel)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israel's military to conduct operations in the occupied West Bank after three empty buses exploded, in a suspected terror attack on Thursday night.

No casualties were reported and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts, which occurred when explosive devices planted on the empty vehicles detonated in quick succession in the cities of Bat Yam and Holon, south of Israel's financial centre. In Bat Yam, two bombs exploded on buses parked in a depot on Thursday night, authorities said. A third blast was reported in Holon from an explosive device planted on a third bus.

The explosions happened on a day when Israel was already grieving after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal. The bus explosions were reminiscent of bombings during the Palestinian uprising of the 2000s, but such attacks are now rare.

Explosives were found on two other buses but did not detonate, police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV. Israeli police said the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers.  The bomb squads were defusing the unexploded bombs. Police said the Shin Bet internal security agency had taken over the investigation.

Police spokesman Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV that the explosives used on Thursday matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate. Israel’s military has repeatedly carried out raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack sparked the devastating war in Gaza. As part of that crackdown, Israel has restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the occupied territory.

A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on the messaging app Telegram: “We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands.” The group did not appear to claim responsibility for the attack.

Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been a focus of Israel’s broad military offensive in the West Bank since the ceasefire in Gaza took effect on January 19. The Israeli military said early Friday it had imposed restrictions on Palestinian movement and sealed off parts of the West Bank amid its ongoing security operations there.