Three buses explode in Israel in suspected terror attack

Three buses have exploded in an apparent terror attack in Israel prompting authorities to shut down public transport in a check for more explosives.

Fox News reported that three public buses exploded on Thursday night while parked at a depot in Bat Yam, a city located just south of Tel Aviv. Thankfully, all three buses were empty and no one was hurt.

After firefighters put out the blazes, other buses were inspected and several other bombs were reportedly discovered on other buses.

Police and Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, sent out an alert to bus drivers to stop and inspect their vehicles, and reportedly two devices were discovered averting serious tragedy.

According to Israeli authorities, the explosive devices that were discovered were identical and equipped with a timer set to detonate on Friday.

Perpetrators Unknown

Those responsible for building and planting these bombs are so far unknown, but it's suspected that the terrorist organization Hamas is likely connected.

The explosions took place just hours after Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Hamas has begun releasing hostages as part of a ceasefire negotiated with Israel.

However, if it is discovered that it was Hamas that ordered this terrorist attack that could have killed dozens if not hundreds of people, it's likely that the ceasefire deal with Israel will be called off.

The investigation is in its initial phase as police spokesman Haim Sargrof said, "We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the discovery by ordering Israeli security to ramp up operations against "centers of terrorism" in the West Bank as well as an increase in "preventative activity" against possible attacks in Israeli cities.

Israeli intelligence is exceptional and there will likely be answers within a week as to who created and planted these bombs. However, for now, there's much to be grateful for as these bombs could have killed hundreds.

IDF Ramping Up Operations

Another likely suspect behind these bombings is the terrorist organization Hezbollah, based in neighboring Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the IDF to ramp up operations in the West Bank to counter terrorist activity.

In a statement from Katz, he said, "In light of the severe terror attack attempts [in the Tel Aviv area] by Palestinian terror organizations against the civilian population in Israel, I instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of the counterterrorism activity in the Tulkarem refugee camp, and all the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria."

He continued saying, "We will hunt down the terrorists to the bitter end and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps used as frontline posts of the Iranian evil axis."

Even with the IDF pounding Hamas and Hezbollah, the people of Israel are in constant danger and Thursday's bus attack is a somber reminder of just how much of a threat terrorist organizations pose.