IDF files indictment against Palestinian suspect in botched bombing of Bat Yam bus

Military prosecutors have filed an indictment against a Palestinian accused of being behind a botched bus bombing attack in central Israel in February.

In the attack on February 20, three empty buses exploded in quick succession in parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon, and two more unexploded devices were discovered on additional buses in Holon. No casualties were caused.

Abed al-Karim Snober, who is charged with carrying out the attack, was detained in July.

According to the indictment, Snober planned an attack in the Tel Aviv area with other accomplices in January. “Their aim was to harm a large number of civilians by placing several shrapnel explosive devices in crowded locations,” the military says, citing the charge sheet.

Snober manufactured several makeshift bombs packed with nails and screws, the IDF says.

On February 20, Snober entered Israel and planted the five bombs on four buses in the Tel Aviv area, and timed their detonation for different hours, according to the indictment.

Some of the bombs exploded that evening, while the buses were empty, and the others were located and neutralized before causing any harm.

The indictment says that Snober then fled back to the West Bank and hid out at several locations until he was captured in July.

The military says that while he was in hiding, and after his original attack plan failed, Snober planned to carry out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. Snober contacted other suspects to assist him with this new attack, and he manufactured additional bombs, according to the indictment. “Due to his arrest, the defendant did not manage to carry out this attack,” the IDF says.

Snober will be held until the end of legal proceedings.

Indictments have also been filed against other suspects involved in the attack, including a resident of Holon who transported the bomb-planting terrorist to Bat Yam.