"Medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and evacuating to hospitals 12 injured people, including a woman of about 40 in moderate condition with blast injuries, and 11 people lightly injured with cuts from glass shards and blast injuries," an MDA statement said.

Israeli police said officers were operating at several sites in the central and Tel Aviv districts where shrapnel had fallen.

AFP footage showed security forces in high visibility vests and helmets deployed at one site. At another, a fire engine was stationed as forces sprayed non-flammable foam on the charred wreckage of cars.