The Times of Israel reports: “The Hamas terror group on Monday claimed responsibility for an explosion in Tel Aviv the day before, saying it was a suicide bombing conducted as a joint operation with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and vowing further such attacks.

The claim of responsibility came hours after the police and the Shin Bet security agency confirmed that the blast was an intended terror attack. Tel Aviv police announced it had ‘increased operational activity’ in the city in the wake of the incident.

If the bomb had not gone off outside, said Tel Aviv Police District Commander Peretz Amar, ‘it would have caused vast damage and multiple casualties.’

The man behind the planned attack was walking down Lehi Road in south Tel Aviv on Sunday evening when the bomb he was carrying in his backpack detonated, killing him instantly and moderately wounding a passerby…”