Hamas explodes passenger bus in the heart of Tel Aviv

A passenger bus exploded in the center of the second largest city in Israel, Tel Aviv. According to preliminary data, 15 people were killed, many were wounded. The death toll may grow.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.

The bomb reportedly blew up inside the bus. The bus was staying on Shaul Hamelech Street, Vesti.ru reports with reference to Haaretz. News reports about the number of victims and injured continue to arrive, many of them are contradictory. RBC reports that the blast injured at least 20 people, three of them are in serious condition. The bus has burnt out from the inside completely.

The terrorist attack in Tel Aviv comes amid the escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian radical group Hamas over the Gaza Strip. On November 14th, Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense against the militants.

Palestinian radicals have recently executed the people accused of "espionage for Israel." Last night, the Israeli army bombed the Interior Ministry building and intelligence center of Hamas. On Wednesday morning, the militants resumed rocket attacks on southern Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, intends to discuss cease-fire between the parties with the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, the BBC reports. Earlier, the head of the U.S. State Department expressed support for Egypt's efforts to mediate in the talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.