Jerusalem update: Bus explosion was a terrorist attack, at least 25 injured

Israeli police have called today’s bus explosion in Jerusalem a terrorist attack. At least two dozen are injured, and some critically, and one of the injured may have died. In what may signal a change in terrorist tactics, this does not appear to have been a suicide attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Israeli police blamed Palestinian militants. The attack comes as tensions have been escalating between the two sides. In recent days, Hamas and other armed groups in the neighboring Gaza Strip have been firing rockets and mortars into Israel, prompting Israeli reprisals.

“We are talking about a terror attack,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

Israel’s public security minister, Yitzhak Aharonovich, told Channel 2 TV that the bomb was about four pounds (one to two kilograms) and was planted in a small bag on the sidewalk. He said security services were on alert for additional attacks.