Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a bombing in Tel Aviv on Sunday, which killed the suspected attacker and injured a bystander. Israeli officials confirmed the incident was a terrorist attack. The bomb, which appeared to detonate prematurely, targeted a nearby synagogue according to some reports.
The militant groups Al-Qassam Brigades and Saraya Al-Quds released a statement calling the attack a “martyrdom operation” and threatened further violence in response to Israeli military actions and assassinations. This statement also referenced recent Israeli strikes and killings, including the death of a Hamas leader.
Tel Aviv Bombing Claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad Amid Ongoing Cease-Fire Talks
Israeli police and the Shin Bet confirmed that the explosion was a terrorist act and have been working on-site to investigate. They have raised security levels in Tel Aviv and are conducting extensive searches to ensure public safety and prevent further attacks.
The bombing happened just after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to continue cease-fire negotiations. Blinken’s visit aimed to address both the return of hostages and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting the critical nature of the negotiations for peace.
Blinken’s visit also coincides with rising regional tensions, including recent militant leader killings in Lebanon blamed on Israel. The potential for the conflict to expand into a broader regional war underscores the urgency of the cease-fire talks and the need for a resolution.
