Israel Police backtracked on Saturday on an earlier report claiming bomb disposal units located and defused a small pipe bomb found near the Bridge of Strings in Jerusalem on Saturday morning.
The suspicious device, which was found on a road near the entrance to the Israeli capital, was discovered during proactive searches conducted by Jerusalem District Police officers following the Jerusalem twin bombings on Wednesday which killed one Israeli and wounded 19 others.
Shortly after its discovery, police officers at the scene closed the city's entrance and exit roads in the area as bomb disposal units worked to defuse the device.
Later on Saturday, police updated that the device found in Jerusalem was not an explosive device.
Jerusalem police district head Doron Turgeman praised the bomb disposal units' "vigilance and professionalism" in identifying the suspicious device located in a public area, a police statement read.
"The bomb disposal unit's work this morning is proof of the various threats we contend with," Turgeman was quoted as saying. "More than anything, it illustrated the need to remain alert and vigilant.
Turgeman also ordered to resume all operational, investigative and intelligence activities in regard to security threats in the city. "We will continue to operate with increased policing forces in the city to preserve the security and safety of Jerusalem's residents and visitors."
The device that was originally suspected to be a pipe bomb was taken from the scene for further testing, where it was determined to be non-explosive, as police announced an investigation into the incident that took place only days following the deadly bombings near the Central Bus Station.
The Jerusalem twin bombings
On Wednesday, two explosions, one at the entrance to the city near the Central Bus Station and the other in the Ramot neighborhood, occurred at bus stops during rush hour. The explosive devices were said to have been placed in bags left at the stations.
The bombs were detonated remotely and were reportedly packed with nails and bolts to maximum casualties. One bus that was near the scene of the first attack was riddled with holes, showing the dispersion of shrapnel.