Jerusalem bombings: Both bombs detonated remotely, police on high alert

A teenager was killed and 18 people were wounded, two critically, in two explosions at the entrance to Jerusalem and the Ramot Junction on Wednesday morning in what police are treating as a a coordinated double Palestinian terrorist.

The causes of the explosions were not immediately determined but Israel Police said that the one near the Central Bus Station appeared to have been caused by a bomb placed in a bag near the bus. The bus was riddled with holes, showing the dispersion of shrapnel. Another explosion went off minutes later near the Ramot Intersection in northern Jerusalem.

The bombs were detonated remotely and were reportedly packed with nails and bolts.

Police are treating the two explosions as a coordinated joint attack and Police Chief Kobi Shabtai was at the scene of the initial explosion where he was briefed on the attack.

Shabtai said that every bus in Jerusalem will be searched by police officers and all of the bomb-sniffing dogs in Israel will be activated to search for explosive devices. He added that police are investigating whether or not there was more than one terrorist involved in either attack.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz held a situational assessment along with the head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Ronen Bar,  Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram, head of the IDF Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Aharon Haliva, and other senior officials.

The scene of the explosion at the entrance to Jerusalem (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

Prime Minister Yair Lapid will hold meetings on the attacks at 12:00 the the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. He will be joined by Gantz, Public Security minister Omer Bar-Lev, the head of the National Security Council Eyal Haluta, Shabtai, Bar, Baram, and other senior officials.

Five of the injured were evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, two in critical condition, two in serious condition, and one moderately injured. Another five were evacuated to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Ein Kerem.

Shaare Zedek issued a statement instructing people who are unsure whether or not their family members are among the inured to call 1255-125 to determine whether or not they were transported to the hospital.

United Hatzalah EMTs were on the scene of the explosions and the United Hatzalah Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit has also been dispatched and is treating numerous eyewitnesses for emotional and psychological shock.

Several departments in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have stated that as a result of the attacks and to ensure the safety of students, attendance will not be mandatory on Wednesday.

In recent months, Israel has been experiencing a wave of terrorism although the attacks until now have mostly been in the West Bank and were carried out by Palestinians using either assault rifles or knives. Last week, three Israelis were killed in a stabbing rampage at the entrance to the settlement of Ariel in the Shomron region of the West Bank.

Last week a car exploded close to an IDF post near the settlement of Mevo Dotan in the West Bank. The car, which had three gas cylinders and wires, is believed to have exploded in a botched car bombing.

Road One – the main artery into the capital – was shut to incoming traffic from the direction of Tel Aviv.

Prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to the attack that he is “praying to the health of the injured people, in the coordinated terror attack in Jerusalem this morning and send my support to the security forces who are operating on the ground.”

Speaker of the Knesset, and former Jerusalem Police Commander Mickey Levy, has said in response: “A difficult morning in our beloved Jerusalem, who had known difficult days in the past. I wish for a fast recovery for the injured people and send my support to the dear people of the city.

“This is the place to call everyone to remain aware and to report security forces on every suspicious thing you see. I have no doubt that the security forces will get any terrorist involved in the attack.”

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is expected to serve as Public Security Minister in the new government, issued a statement, saying that he is on his way to the scene of the attack.

“I am on my way to the scene of the painful and sad attack when an explosive device has returned us to the dammed Intifada time. It is time to act with determination and a hard hand against the terrorists, it is time to organize the country. I am praying for the recovery of the injured people along with all of Israel at this difficult hour.”

This is a developing story.