Jerusalem bus blast causes around 20 casualties €“ Israeli media

An explosion aboard a bus in Jerusalem caused around 20 casualties on Monday, Israeli media said, and police said it may have been a militant attack or the result of a fire from other causes.

Television images showed smoke billowing from two burned-out buses, one of which apparently set fire to the other, on Derech Hebron, an area in southwest Jerusalem close to the boundary with the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Smoke billowed over the horizon.

It was not immediately clear if the casualties included fatalities. Israel's Magen David Adom ambulances service said it had taken 10 wounded people to hospitals and that others remained at the site of the blast.

Attacks on Israeli buses by suicide bombers were a hallmark of the Palestinian uprising in 2000-2005 but have been rare since.

An Israeli police spokeswoman initially said there were indications that Monday's incident was a militant attack, but in an updated statement said it may have begun when an empty bus caught fire, ignited another bus that had passengers aboard.

related articles
Archaeologists uncover 1,600-year-old winery in Jerusalem
Archaeologists uncover 1,600-year-old winery in Jerusalem

Archaeologists uncover 1,600-year-old winery in Jerusalem

Rare seal found in Jerusalem reveals pre-Christian woman of power and authority
Rare seal found in Jerusalem reveals pre-Christian woman of power and authority

Rare seal found in Jerusalem reveals pre-Christian woman of power and authority

Why Jerusalem\'s Church of the Holy Sepulchre is falling down
Why Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre is falling down

Why Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre is falling down

News
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message

The Pope asked people to pray in particular for the "tormented people of Ukraine" in his Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' message. 

Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?
Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?

The carol says, “Good King Wenceslas last looked out on the Feast of Stephen.” In many countries, December 26, also known as Boxing Day, is better known as St Stephen’s Day. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. This is the story …

King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address
King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address

King Charles III used his Christmas Day speech to reflect on the significance of pilgrimage as he appealed to the nation "to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation". 

2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book
2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book

One of the most-studied Bible verses of the year is from 2 Timothy in the New Testament, according to an analysis of millions of Bible study sessions that tracked how believers worldwide are engaging with Scripture.