Jerusalem bombings leave one Israeli killed, 18 injured

One Israeli was killed and 18 people were injured in two separate, but coordinated explosions at separate bus stops in West Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, the Israeli police said. 

At 7:05 am local time, a detonation device was set off near a bus in the Givat Sha'ul area, leaving several injured, some in severe conditions. 

Around 7:35 am, another blast occurred next to a bus stop at the Ramot intersection in Jerusalem. Three minor injuries were evacuated from the scene for medical treatment.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster, the Israeli police suspect a cell in East Jerusalem is behind the bombings. 

Hundreds of police officers from the Jerusalem district, border guard soldiers, and special security forces are now scanning different areas in Jerusalem from the ground and the air in search of suspects.

The Islamic movement Hamas did not claim responsibility for the bombings, but its spokesman Abdel Latif Qanou said in a statement that the explosions were an answer to the "crimes of the occupation and settlers against our people and al-Aqsa."

Qanou also lauded the bombings and warned of more attacks against Israelis. 

Itamar Ben Gvir arrives, who arrived at the explosion scene, said Israel needs to "exact a price for terror" and called for reinstating "targeted assassinations." 

"Policy needs to change," he added. Itamar Ben Gvir, the leader of the Jewish Power party, is demanding to be Public Security minister in the forthcoming Israeli government. 

Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz has ordered the closure of the Jalameh and Salem checkpoints in the Jenin area following a security evaluation held this morning. 

More than two hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year. 
Thirteen Israelis were killed by Palestinians in the same period.