Israel's defence minister Israel Katz has ordered the country's military to "intensify operations" in the occupied West Bank after explosions rocked several empty buses in the central city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv.
Israeli police have described the blasts as a "suspected terror attack", with an official saying that there were no injuries.
They said three bombs exploded while two were being defused at separate locations.
Mr Katz, using the biblical term for the West Bank, said in a statement: "In light of the serious attempted attacks in the Gush Dan (central) area by Palestinian terrorist organisations against the civilian population in Israel, I have instructed the IDF (military) to intensify operations to thwart terrorism in the Tulkarem refugee camp and in all the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria."
"These are identical explosive devices with a timer. Three have detonated, and two additional ones have been located and are currently being neutralised," a police spokesman told AFP.
"Preliminary report - Suspected terror attack. Multiple reports have been received of explosions involving several buses at different locations in Bat Yam," police added in a statement.
A large number of police were deployed to search for suspects, the police statement said.
"Police bomb disposal units are scanning for additional suspicious objects.
"We urge the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for any suspicious items," it added.
Tzvika Brot, the mayor of Bat Yam, said in a video statement that there were "no injured in these incidents".
Television footage aired by some Israeli networks showed a completely burnt-out bus, while another was on fire.
Israeli media said that bus drivers countrywide had been asked to stop and inspect their own buses for additional possible explosive devices.
Netanyahu to order 'decisive action' against 'terror elements' in West Bank
A police commander from central Israel, Haim Sargarof said in a televised briefing that the devices used to set off the blasts were similar to those found in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Following the blasts, Mr Netanyahu was set to hold a security meeting, his office said.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been receiving ongoing updates from his military secretary on the IED (improvised-explosive-device) incidents in the Dan (central) area and will soon hold a security assessment," the office said in a statement.
An official in the prime minister's office said Mr Netanyahu "views the placing of explosives on buses as a very serious incident and will order decisive action against terror elements in the West Bank".
The Israeli military has been carrying out near-daily raids in several West Bank cities and camps for several weeks now targeting Palestinian militants.
Violence in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has escalated since the October 2023 outbreak of war in Gaza.
At least 897 Palestinians including militants have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza war began, according to an AFP tally based on figures provided by the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah.
At least 32 Israelis, including some soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or confrontations during Israeli operations in the West Bank over the same period, according to official Israeli figures.
