Hamas, Islamic Jihad take responsibility for Tel Aviv bombing

The armed factions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad took responsibility on August 19 for a bomb explosion near a synagogue in Tel Aviv, which Israeli authorities and the Shin Bet intelligence agency have labeled a terrorist attack.

According to police, the bomber was killed, and a bystander sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred late August 18, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Brigades stated that their "martyrdom operations" inside Israel would intensify as long as Israel's "occupation's massacres and assassination policy" persist, referencing Israel's offensive in Gaza and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in Haniyeh's death in the Iranian capital.

The conflict in Gaza began on October 7 of the previous year, when Hamas fighters breached the border into Israeli territory, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel's military operations have extensively damaged the Gaza Strip and resulted in at least 40,000 deaths, as reported by Gaza's health authorities.

The explosion in Tel Aviv on August 18 occurred roughly an hour after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the city to advocate for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has lasted for 10 months. The urgency for a ceasefire has increased amid concerns of further escalation in the region, particularly with Iran threatening retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.