Tel Aviv, 21 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday ordered "an intensive operation against centers of terrorism" in the West Bank after at least three empty buses exploded in Tel Aviv in what police said was a "suspected terrorist attack."

Netanyahu's office said on X that the premier ordered the Israeli military to carry out the operation in the West Bank as well as instructing police and security forces "to increase preventative activity against additional attacks in Israeli cities."

"Following the attempt to perpetrate a chain of mass bus bombings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just completed a security assessment with the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the ISA Director and the Israel Police Inspector General," Netanyahu's office continued.

On Thursday evening, at least three empty buses exploded in a southern suburb of Tel Aviv.

There were no injuries, according to initial reports.

Israeli media reported that five devices were intended to detonate simultaneously, but only three exploded.

The Haaretz newspaper first reported that two empty buses exploded in Bat Yam and later a third bus exploded. TV channel Kan reported that all three affected buses were parked at the time of the explosions.

Israel's police spoke of a "suspected terrorist attack" in Bat Yam. Numerous security forces are currently searching for suspects and suspicious objects. According to the news site ynet, bus services in the area have been completely suspended by order of the police.

MIA file photo