JERUSALEM

Israeli security forces have arrested an Israeli citizen on suspicion of transporting a Palestinian allegedly involved in planting explosive devices on buses in central Israel, Israeli media reported on Friday.

"Shin Bet (security service) investigators and Tel Aviv police arrested a Jewish Israeli from Gush Dan on Friday morning on suspicion of transporting a member of the cell behind the bus bombings,” Israeli Channel 12 and the daily Maariv reported.

The reports indicate that the Israeli suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Friday and that a closed-door hearing will be held in his case. He has also been denied access to a lawyer.

The Israeli suspect is expected to appear before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court for an “extension of his detention,” while Israeli authorities have not disclosed his identity.

These developments come after explosions tore through three empty buses in parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon on Thursday evening, several Israeli media outlets reported.

No one was injured, according to police reports cited by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

The Israeli army continued its deadly raids in the northern West Bank, where at least 60 people were killed and thousands displaced since last month.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where at least 920 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 7,000 others injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Health Ministry.

In July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, calling for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.