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Is Jerusalem bus blast just a sign of things to come?

As the Passover holiday approaches, many Israelis fear the current violence may evolve into larger scale attacks like the bus bombing that shook Jerusalem Monday night.

Emergency workers search the scene after a blast on a bus in Jerusalem April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY      - RTX2AI5J
Emergency workers search the scene after a blast on a bus in Jerusalem, April 18, 2016. — REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Hell has returned to Jerusalem. On the night of April 18, a loud blast shook Bus No. 12 on its route through the Israeli capital with several passengers. The explosion started a fire on that bus as well as another next to it and a private vehicle. Fire quickly engulfed the area, instantly returning Israelis to the horrific second intifada more than a decade ago that filled the streets of Israel with blood.

Radio and television networks, experienced with such events, immediately responded with live coverage, opening old wounds and fears in many Israelis. For the first few hours, the police were not certain that it was, indeed, a terror attack. By evening it was clear: An explosive charge was evidently planted on the bus and had gone off. As of the time of this writing, the identity of the terrorist is still unknown. No terror organization has assumed responsibility for the attack. A total of 21 wounded are presently hospitalized, with three in serious condition.

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