[VIDEOS & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The picture surrounding the explosion and fire on board a Jerusalem number 12 bus earlier today, Monday, 10 Nissan, is now significantly clearer as police commanders are certain the explosion was caused by a bomb held by a terrorist.

While the terrorist survived, listed in critical condition, police are not certain if the terrorist planned to set off the bomb or perhaps it was to have detonated as the bus hit city center or elsewhere. Since the terrorist cannot communicate, it is now the job of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) to probe and use intelligence resources in the hope of determining if this was the actions of a lone wolf or an organized terrorist effort.

Hadassah Hospital’s Chief of Trauma Medicine Prof. Avi Rivkind, who is among the most experienced in the world in treating terror victims, confirms there were metallic fragments and screws in some of the victims as seen in terror attacks in the past. He says most of the injuries are from burns but there are also penetrating injuries from screws and bolts, signaling terror.

At this stage it appears senior Israel Police commanders do not believe the attack represents a shift to a return to the bus bombings of the Second Intifada. However, police are taking the attack most seriously, well-aware it occurred in the capital just days before Pesach. Undoubtedly in pre-yomtov briefings the experts will address today’s attacks and the need to prepare for this possibility too as well as hundreds of thousands are expected in the capital next week for Pesach and Easter.

Update on victims from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital

A total of seven victims of the bus explosion of fire arrived in the trauma unit of which four are listed in moderate-to-serious condition. Three of them are intubated and in a medically induced state of non-responsiveness. The remainder are in light condition.

Update on victims from Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital

Three victims of the explosion arrived in the hospital, all listed in light condition.

Update on victims from Shaare Zedek Hospital

Chief of Trauma Medicine Dr. Ofir Marin reports a total of ten patients from the bus blast. One person, whose identity has not been established remains in very serious condition. Two others are in and about to enter surgery. Most of the injuries are from burns.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)