Three buses have exploded in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in what Israeli police say is a "suspected terror attack".

Devices in two other buses failed to explode, they said, adding that "large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects".

Transport Minister Miri Regev paused all buses, trains and light rail trains in the country so that checks for explosive devices could be carried out, Israeli media reports said.

Footage on social media shows at least one bus on fire in a parking lot, with a large plume of smoke rising above.

There have been no reports of casualties at this stage, police said.

According to local media, one of the unexploded devices, weighing 5kg, carried a message saying "Revenge from Tulkarem" - referring to a recent Israeli military counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank.

In response to the incidents in Bat Yam, Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the military to "increase the intensity" of activity in refugee camps in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was being updated on the situation, his office said in a statement.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for suspicious items. (BBC)