Israeli police on Sunday arrested a Palestinian man carrying explosives in his backpack as he was about to board a tram in the center of Jerusalem, a police spokesman said.

The 20-year-old Palestinian, who lives in the West Bank, was arrested after raising the suspicion of a security guard near the light rail stop on Jaffa Road.

The guard, who asked to check the contents of the young man’s backpack, realized there was a bomb inside and called the police.

Eyewitnesses told EFE that after the incident, the security forces evacuated all people in the area, closed shops and cordoned off the perimeter while the suspect was being investigated.

The police found several homemade bombs in the suspect’s bag which were examined by the bomb squad.

Local media said that the man with the backpack might have told the security guard that he had explosives.

A total of 219 Palestinians, 36 Israelis and three foreigners have been killed since a wave of violence began in October 2015. EFE

Jerusalem, Jul 17 (EFE)