A truck explosion that killed one person in central Tel Aviv on Sunday evening is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack, according to several Israeli media reports.

The Times of Israel reported on Sunday that Tel Aviv police district commander Peretz Amar told reporters on the scene that the explosion was caused by a bomb.

“It is difficult to identify the body,” said Amar. “We know that it is not an innocent civilian, but someone who was carrying an explosive device.”

“Was this a crime or a (terrorist) attack? To determine that, the identity of the man is crucial,” he said, adding that the possibility of a terrorist attack had been increased by initial findings at the site of the explosion.

According to Amar, a passerby who was also injured in the explosion could help with the investigation. The district commander of the Tel Aviv police also told the media that the man worked alone and had no accomplices.

Israel National News reported that the deceased was a 50-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene on Lehi Street. The news agency reported that a 33-year-old man suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel and was hospitalized.

Newsweek sent an email to the Israeli police on Sunday seeking comment.

Sunday’s explosion came amid a series of escalating violence since the start of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The conflict began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which Israeli authorities estimate that about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 others taken hostage, about half of whom are believed to still be in captivity. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that about 40,000 people were killed by Israel in the densely populated area during the ensuing war.

The escalation also comes as President Joe Biden’s administration pushes for a breakthrough in long-stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Ongoing violence in the West Bank and Gaza has raised concerns about a wider regional conflict. There are fears that Iran and its proxies in the region could become embroiled in the situation, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Amid rising hostilities, a new round of peace talks are set to resume next week in Doha, Qatar. The aim of the negotiations is to end the 10-month fighting in Gaza. But the recent increase in violence has left prospects for a peaceful solution uncertain.

This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.

Update: 8/18/24 5:30 PM ET: This article has been updated with additional information.