Police in Israel have launched a large-scale manhunt after three buses exploded in a “suspected terror attack” in Tel Aviv.
Social media footage of the vehicles shows crowds of residents assembling as flames and smoke pour out into the sky – though authorities have not yet reported any casualties.
Police have called the incident a “suspected terror attack”, and said that “large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects”.
Meanwhile, transport minister Miri Regev has ordered public transport networks to halt temporarily while police can carry out checks for further explosive devices, according to local reports.
Crowds of residents were seen assembling as flames and smoke poured out into the sky
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Locals have also been told to avoid the areas in Bat Yam, on the southern edge of Tel Aviv, and stay alert.
Further reports in Israeli media suggest that as many as five devices were planted aboard five different buses in the centre of the country.
Tel Aviv District police chief Haim Sargarof said the five devices that either detonated or were disabled this evening had timers – and that the attack “looks like something [that originated] in the West Bank”.
Meanwhile, one unnamed security source cited by the Times of Israel said the blasts were intended to happen at the same time tomorrow morning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given an update by his military secretary, his office said
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Sargarof also warned that a suspect who was identified in social media posts was “an innocent man”.
This was intended to be a “strategic terrorist attack,” Channel 12 reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given an update by his military secretary about the incidents in the Tel Aviv area, his office said in a statement.
Netanyahu would soon hold a security situation assessment, the statement added.
More to follow…