Terror Attack in Tel Aviv Amid Ceasefire Push

A bomb blast near a synagogue in Tel Aviv has been confirmed as a terrorist attack. The explosion occurred shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. Tensions are rising after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

A bomb blast in Tel Aviv late on Sunday has been confirmed as a terrorist attack, Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said on Monday. The man carrying the bomb, which exploded near a synagogue, was killed and a passerby was injured, according to police at the scene.

'It can now be confirmed that this was a terror attack,' police and Shin Bet said in a joint statement on Monday. Sunday's explosion came about an hour after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to push for a ceasefire in Gaza that will end the 10-month-old war between Israel and Hamas.

There has been increased urgency to reach a ceasefire deal amid fears of an escalation across the wider region. Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Israel has not claimed responsibility for his death.