‘99% It Was An Attack’: Tel Aviv Blast Likely Terror, Police Say

Jerusalem, 19 August, 2024 (TPS) -- Israeli Police investigating Sunday night’s explosion in Tel Aviv said on Monday morning it was very likely a terror attack.

Security cameras filmed a man wearing a blue backpack walking down Lehi Road in southern Tel Aviv when it exploded not far from a synagogue.

The blast killed the suspect, identified only as a man in his 50s. Another man in his 30s was moderately injured.

It wasn’t clear if the attack was terror or criminal-related, or if the bomb detonated prematurely.

Police spokesman Eli Levy said, “99% it was an attack.”

Noting the proximity of the synagogue, which may have been the target, Levy added, “A great miracle happened here, a few more meters and we would have woken up to a huge disaster.”

Investigators are still working to identify the bomber.

“It is difficult to identify the body,” said Tel Aviv Police District Commander Peretz Amar. “We know that he is not an innocent civilian, but somebody who was carrying an explosive device. It could be terror and it could be criminal. The possibility of terror is real.”