Hamas, Islamic Jihad claim responsibility for Tel Aviv explosion: What we know
Police are investigating a blast that occurred Sunday evening in the southern part of the city, killing the person who carried the explosive device.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Monday for a Sunday evening explosion in Tel Aviv caused by a suspected suicide bomber, whose device likely detonated prematurely.
Hamas’ military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, on Monday announced its participation — alongside Islamic Jihad's Saraya al-Quds armed wing — in a “martyrdom operation” in Tel Aviv Sunday night, saying more such bombings are to come.
“The al-Qassam Brigades in cooperation with the al-Quds Brigades announce the execution of the martyrdom operation that occurred yesterday evening, Sunday, in the city of ‘Tel Aviv,’” said the militia in a statement on Telegram. “The brigades confirm that martyrdom operations inside the occupier will return to the forefront as long as the occupation’s massacres, displacement of civilians, and policy of assassinations continue.”
A statement issued by Islamic Jihad said it, along with Hamas, plans to carry out more attacks “within the Green Line,” meaning in Israel, “as long as the acts of massacre by the occupation and the policy of assassinations continue.”
Blast near synagogue
The explosion took place around 7:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. ET) in the Hatikva neighborhood. The person carrying the explosive device was killed and a passer-by slightly wounded.
Video released by the police showed a man with a large backpack walking the streets alone. The explosion took place near a synagogue packed with people attending evening prayer.
Police could not confirm whether the synagogue had been the assailant's target, but Kan, Israeli's public broadcaster, reported that police maintain the explosive device, less than 10 kilos, was detonated too early by mistake.
According to the police, the man killed was in his 50s and not a citizen of Israel. Shin Bet and Israel Police are still working to confirm his identity. Ynet cited Israeli security sources who believe the man was a Palestinian from the Nablus area of the occupied West Bank.
Following the explosion, police increased the alertness level and conducted extensive searches throughout the center of the country.
In a statement, Dan Police, responsible for central Israel, including Tel Aviv, said, it is continuing with “increased operational activity in crowded venues in collaboration with special units and reserve volunteers, in order to provide citizens with a sense of security." The statement added, "We call on citizens to be alert and inform the Israel Police of any suspicious person or suspicious object by calling the number 100.”
Later on Monday, Tel Aviv District Commander Peretz Amar said the identity of the assailant and whether he acted alone is still unknown.
Last September, before the Jewish New Year, a bomb exploded at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, without causing casualties. In 2022, two bombs planted at the entrance of Jerusalem killed two people and injured scores more.
