Hamas and the Islamic radical group Jihad (PIJ) claimed responsibility on Monday (August 19th) for the bomb explosion near a synagogue in Tel Aviv the previous day. Israeli police and intelligence agencies confirmed that it was a terrorist attack.
The Hamas-affiliated armed faction, Al-Qassam Brigades, released a statement on the messaging app Telegram on Monday, stating that the organization was responsible for the explosion.
The extremist group also claimed that this “martyrdom operation” was carried out in collaboration with the armed faction of the Palestinian Islamic radical group Jihad, Al-Quds Brigades.
Israeli police stated that the explosion resulted in one death and one pedestrian injured, with the deceased being the attacker carrying the bomb.
According to reports from the Associated Press, the bomb appeared to explode before the scheduled time. Surveillance footage showed the suspect walking down the street with a large backpack before the explosion occurred.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer stated that the man’s backpack contained explosives, which detonated before he reached a more densely populated area.
Israeli media reported that the police indicated the attacker’s intended target was a nearby synagogue.
In a joint statement on Monday, Israeli police and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) confirmed that the explosion was a terrorist attack.
The statement read: “It can now be confirmed that this was a terrorist attack involving a powerful bomb explosion.”
“The explosion caused minor injuries to a pedestrian (according to medical sources) who was taken to the hospital for treatment,” the statement added.
The statement also mentioned that following the incident, the commander in the Tel Aviv area conducted a specialized assessment with all investigative and support units, instructed an increase in alert levels, and carried out extensive searches across the entire greater Tel Aviv area. Security measures in crowded areas were heightened to ensure public safety, while citizens were urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious individuals or items to the Israeli police by dialing the emergency hotline 100.
The explosion on Sunday occurred approximately one hour after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv. Blinken’s visit aimed to promote a ceasefire in Gaza to end the 10-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.