The first suicide bomb exploded in Tel Aviv, Sunday night causing mass damage as revealed by different media sources. This is the first suicide exoplosion in the heart of the Israeli city in 18 years according to one blogger.
Al-Qassam Brigades and Saraya al-Quds, claimed immediate responsibility for what they called a resistance operation that will continue inside Israel as long as the massacres, forced displacement of civilians and assassinations in Gaza persist by the Israeli army.
“The Al-Qassam Brigades, in coordination with Saraya al-Quds, announce the execution of the resistance operation that took place last night, Sunday, in the city of Tel Aviv. The brigades affirm the resistance operations within the occupied territories [meaning Israel] will resurface as long as the massacres committed by the Israeli occupation, the displacement of civilians, and the policy of assassinations continue”, Al-Qassam announced on its official Telegram channel according to the Quds News Network.
The Israeli police confirmed that the Tel Aviv huge explosion was what they termed as a “terrorist attack” according to the Jerusalem Post.
They believe the perpetrator of the operation infiltrated the city from the Nablus area in the occupied West Bank. And thgus the security alert level in the greater Tel Aviv area has been notched up.
The Israeli police described the incident as “serious and dangerous,” with investigations by the domestic security force, Shin Bet and the police ongoing. “The Tel Aviv attack was 99% likely to be a terrorist act,” a police statement read, adding it was a “miracle” the explosion did not result in dozens of deaths.
The explosion on HaLechi Street in southern Tel Aviv, involved a powerful explosive device. The Israeli authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious persons or objects, and exercise caution as security forces conduct extensive search operations across the city.
According to Israeli media, an Israeli was killed in the explosion, his identity remains unknown due to the severe condition of his body. Another passerby sustained moderate injuries from shrapnel caused by the blast.
Israeli Channel 13 reported have since stated that the police have officially recognized the explosion as a resistance operation.
Footage of the incident circulating on social media shows the significant damage caused by the explosion, with security forces and emergency responders on high alert in the aftermath of the attack.