22-Dec-13: As Palestinian Arab terror attacks grow in frequency and intensity, Tel Aviv-area bus is bombed

A brief news flash from Times of Israel validates the concerns that many have been expressing here since the summer about the steady rise in the incidence of terrorism directed at Israelis.

One injured in explosion on Bat Yam bus in apparent terror attack | Times of Israel, December 22, 2013, 3:06 pm | A police officer was lightly injured when an explosive device blew up on the no. 240 Dan bus line in Bat Yam on Sunday afternoon. The explosion damaged the bus, which was stopped at the time on the corners of Mivtza Sinai and Katznelson streets in the coastal city, which borders Tel Aviv on the south. Passengers had been evacuated from the bus after a suspicious package was discovered, according to a Dan Company spokesperson. “A passenger alerted the driver about a suspicious bag located behind the back door of the bus,” the spokesperson said. “The driver stopped the bus and examined the bag. He saw electrical wires attached to the bag and ordered all passengers off the bus, leaving after them. He then called police sappers.” A police sapper was attempting to defuse the bomb when it exploded. The police officer was evacuated to the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon for treatment, reportedly with only light wounds. The Dan spokesperson praised the passenger and driver for their quick thinking. Significant police forces were at the scene Sunday afternoon. Police sources said Sunday that early indications pointed to an apparent terror attack.

A Tel Aviv bus, Route 142, was attacked by bomb-wielding terrorists a little over a year ago ["21-Nov-12 UPDATED: The buses are exploding once again"]. Some 28 people were injured in that incident. An Israeli Arab pleaded guilty earlier this month in relation to terrorism charges.

Some further background here: "8-Oct-13: Does rising terrorist violence on Israel's roads mean we're getting closer to peace?"