Following the bus explosions, Netanyahu ordered the military to carry out an operation in the West Bank.

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has instructed the country's Defense Forces (IDF) to launch a large-scale operation in the West Bank against terrorist centers. This decision came after a series of bus explosions in a suburb of Tel Aviv the day before.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing The Times of Israel.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office described these explosion events as an attempt at a massive attack.

Netanyahu was also informed about an order from the police and "Shin Bet" (or Shabak - the Israeli intelligence agency responsible for counterintelligence and internal security) to "increase preventive measures" in cities across the country to prevent further attacks.

It was noted that these decisions were made following a meeting with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Police Commissioner Daniel Levy.

Updated: IDF to Deploy New Battalions to the West Bank

The Israel Defense Forces announced plans to send three more battalions as reinforcements to the West Bank. This decision was made following an assessment of the situation conducted after the bus explosions in a suburb of Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.

According to the Israeli military, they are continuously assessing the situation and "preparing to expand offensive operations."

The IDF added that the "counter-terrorism mission in northern Samaria is ongoing" (here, the biblical name for the northern areas of the West Bank is used in the statement).

Bus Explosions in Israel

Earlier, it was reported that on February 20, explosions occurred in three buses at two parking lots in two suburbs near Tel Aviv. The vehicles were empty. Later, information emerged that there were plans to detonate five buses while they were in motion on February 21.

Police found four explosive devices. As a result of the incidents, there were no injuries or casualties. The Israeli side suspects a terrorist act.

It was reported that one of the explosive devices contained a message reading "Revenge from Tulkarm" - a reference to the city in the West Bank where the Israel Defense Forces recently conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism operation.

The police conducted searches of buses and trains. Subsequently, it was reported that the so-called "Tulkarm Battalion" of Hamas, based in Tulkarm in the West Bank, published a statement on its Telegram channel that may indicate the group's responsibility for the combined bus explosions in Tel Aviv.

During the night, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the military had closed off entry to certain areas of Judea and Samaria. It was also indicated that the Chief of the Israeli General Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, instructed to assist the police "as needed and to enhance operations in the buffer zone."