Explosions at Jerusalem bus stops kill one, injure several

Two explosions hit two bus stations in Jerusalem during rush hour on Wednesday, killing an Israeli teenager and injuring at least 14 others.

An explosion in the Kiryat Moshe area of Jerusalem left a 16-year-old boy dead. The blast reportedly occurred near a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.

Another explosion went off near a bus stop in the Ramot settlement neighborhood, north of Jerusalem, shortly afterward, injuring at least three more people.

'Suspected Palestinian attack'

Following the explosions, there was a huge police presence in Jerusalem, DW correspondent Rebecca Ritters reported.

"These sorts of explosive attacks have been rare in recent years," she said. 

Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have been on the rise lately. However, they have been mostly confined to stabbings and shootings. 

Explosions, meanwhile, were common during the second Intifada, the Palestinian uprising which lasted from 2000 until 2004.

While investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blasts, Israeli police said they suspected the explosions were an attack by Palestinians. No group has taken responsibility for the blasts, but Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have expressed praise for the explosions.

Israeli Army Radio said the blast was caused by an explosive device planted at the scene. Police said the explosives were likely detonated remotely and were packed with nails to maximize the impact.

Wednesday's twin blasts come amid attempts by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form what is expected to be Israel's most right-wing government. Netanyahu will likely reenter the PM's office as his party came out on top in elections last month.

During a visit to the Kiryat Moshe bomb site, ultra-nationalist lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is likely to be the public security minister in a Netanyahu government, called for tougher action against Palestinian violence.

"We must exact a price from terror,'' the AP news agency quoted him as saying. "We must return to be in control of Israel, to restore deterrence against terror.''

US says terrorism is a 'dead-end'

The United Nations, the European Union and the US all condemned the bombings.

The US Embassy stressed its position against terrorism, saying it is a "dead-end that accomplishes absolutely nothing."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, meanwhile, said in a statement that Washington condemns "unequivocally the acts of terror overnight in Jerusalem. The United States has offered all appropriate assistance to the Government of Israel as it investigates the attack and works to bring the perpetrators to justice."

"We mourn the reported loss of life and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

The UK's ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, also expressed his shock at the "terrorist attacks," offering his condolences.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions are high, following months of Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank prompted by deadly attacks against Israelis that killed 19 people.

jsi, rmt/sms (Reuters, AP,  DPA, AFP)