Buses explode in Israel - as military blocks entry to some areas of West Bank

Two of the blasts were in the city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, and a third was reported in the nearby town of Holon, a police spokesperson said on Thursday.

Officers said they also found at least one unexploded device in Holon. They added: "Several suspicious objects were also examined by police bomb disposal units, but suspicion was ruled out in those cases."

Police earlier said that "no injuries have been reported at this stage", and that the Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation.

The explosions happened on the same day that four bodies were returned by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel.

In response to the bus blasts, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to intensify operations in the West Bank as the military blocked entry points to certain areas of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Timer bombs

Speaking to local broadcaster Channel 12, an Israeli police official said the bombs used were with a timer and were non-standard explosives.

They added that investigators believe the bombs looked similar to those made in the West Bank, but it was not confirmed where they were produced.

A group identifying itself as a branch of Qassam Brigades - Hamas's military wing - from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem later said on Telegram: "We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands."

It comes as Mr Katz said he told the IDF to "intensify counter-terrorism operations in the Tulkarem refugee camp and throughout refugee camps in the West Bank".

The defence minister added: "We will pursue the terrorists relentlessly and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps, which serve as a forward base for the Iranian axis of evil.

"Residents who provide shelter and protection to terrorists will pay a heavy price."

The IDF also said in a statement that it has "intensified counter-terrorism operations in Judea and Samaria continue" and will focus on "intelligence findings".

Israel has repeatedly carried out military raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since Hamas's October 7 2023 attack sparked the war in Gaza.

Since the Gaza ceasefire took effect on 19 January this year, Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been the focus of Israel's offensive.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that he was being updated by his military secretary on the situation, and would soon hold a security assessment.

Tzvika Brot, mayor of Bat Yam, also called it a miracle that no one was hurt, and said the buses had finished their routes and were in a car park.

-SKY NEWS