A series of explosions shook Bat Yam and Holon yesterday February 20, 2025, in what authorities are treating as a failed terrorist bombing attempt. Security forces are on high alert, conducting extensive searches for additional explosive devices and potential suspects.
Sequence of Events
The first explosion occurred near Bat Yam Stadium at approximately 20:30, when a security guard reported hearing a blast and witnessing a bus engulfed in flames. Minutes later, a second explosion was reported in a nearby parking lot. Just as emergency responders rushed to the scene, a third blast was heard, further escalating fears of a coordinated attack.
Firefighters promptly extinguished the fires, while bomb disposal units launched an immediate investigation. In response to the incident, all bus drivers in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area were ordered to inspect their vehicles for any suspicious objects. A recorded message was sent instructing them to stop at the nearest station and thoroughly check for unattended bags or items that could pose a threat.
Terrorist Links and Ongoing Investigations
Authorities have since discovered two additional explosive devices in Bat Yam and Holon, which were successfully neutralized by bomb disposal teams. One of the devices reportedly contained a note linking the attackers to Tulkarm, a known hub for terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria.
Initial investigations suggest that the bombs were planted by terrorists from Judea and Samaria, raising concerns about a wider network of terrorist cells attempting to carry out attacks deep inside Israeli territory. The incident underscores the growing security threat posed by Palestinian terrorist factions, many of which are backed and funded by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxy organizations.
Security Forces Intensify Operations
In response to the attempted attack, police forces, the Shin Bet, and IDF intelligence units are conducting extensive searches for suspects and additional explosive devices. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or objects immediately.
Israeli security officials have long warned about the growing influence of Iranian-backed terrorism in Judea and Samaria, with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) actively working to incite and execute terror attacks against Israeli civilians. This latest attempt further highlights the persistent and evolving threat posed by these extremist groups.
The Tel Aviv metropolitan area is home to millions of residents and commuters, with public transportation—especially buses—serving as a primary mode of travel. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people rely on buses to navigate the city’s busy streets, commuting to work, school, and other daily activities. Major transportation hubs, including Tel Aviv’s central bus station, the Carmel Market area, and key routes connecting Bat Yam, Holon, and Rishon LeZion, see a constant flow of passengers at all hours of the day. A successful terrorist bombing targeting public buses would have devastating consequences, potentially leading to mass casualties and widespread chaos in one of Israel’s busiest regions.
Had the terrorists succeeded in detonating the bombs during peak commuting hours—9 AM and 9 PM, when buses are packed with passengers—the casualties would have been catastrophic. 250 could have been killed or injured in what could have been one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Israel’s history. By sheer luck—or divine intervention—the terrorists planted the bombs at the wrong time, missing these critical rush hours. This miraculous timing prevented a massive loss of life, sparing countless civilians from what was meant to be a coordinated mass murder.
This failed terrorist attack serves as a chilling reminder that Israel remains a prime target for Palestinian terrorism, and that security forces must remain one step ahead in the ongoing fight against those who seek to harm innocent civilians.
