A small bomb exploded outside a branch of the Israeli Interior Ministry in eastern Jerusalem this week, lightly wounding four people and damaging the entrance to the building.
It was not known whether Thursday’s attack had a criminal or nationalistic motive, police said.
Police officials added that they were investigating all motives, including the possibility that the bomb attack was carried out by Jewish extremists.
Israel has been on high security alert since Sunday, when security sources said there was information that an Islamic Jihad terrorist cell had infiltrated Israel and was planning a terrorist attack on a bus or in a shopping mall.
Israeli security officials said the planned attacks were linked to the anniversary of the 1995 assassination of Islamic Jihad leader Dr. Fathi Shakaki.
Shakaki was shot in the head five times Oct. 26, 1995, in Malta. Islamic Jihad officials hold Israel responsible for the slaying and have vowed revenge.
Israel has declined to comment on whether it was behind the shooting.
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