A controlled explosion near Jerusalem's central bus station Sunday afternoon frightened city residents, who summoned Magen David Adom rescue teams to the area of the International Convention Center.
Many residents heard the blast and were concerned it was a terror attack, but it quickly became clear that it was a controlled explosion.
Witnesses reported that thick smoke rose from the site of the blast.
Ronny Avni, who lives and Jerusalem and was near the explosion, told Ynet: "We heard a very loud explosion at the entrance to the city. We know there is construction work going on here to dig for the tunnel, and occasionally we hear blasts. But this one was much louder than usual.
"All the rescue teams came to the central bus station fearing it was a terror attack. Everyone was afraid, and you could hear lots of sirens. But it quickly became evident that it was an initiated blast," he said.
Over the past few days terror organizations have attempted to carry out suicide bomb attacks in Israel, which were thwarted by security forces. Just Saturday an explosives belt was found byShin Bet officers in an apartment in south Tel Aviv, foiling a planned Yom Kippur attack.
Sources in the security establishment said that "a large attack was thwarted in Tel Aviv on Yom Kippur." Officials said the explosives weighed between 10-15 kilos.
On Thursday night a general closure was imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, until the end of the holiday.
Roi Mandel contributed to the report