New York City Bomber Tells Police He Carried Out Attack Due to Israeli Actions in Gaza, Report Says

The perpetrator behind the attempted suicide bombing in New York City on Monday told investigators that he was motivated by Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, CNN reported.

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The Bangladeshi immigrant, Akayed Ullah, detonated a pipe bomb strapped to himself in the subway near Times Square, injuring four people and himself at the height of the morning rush hour, law enforcement officials said.

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Port Authority police said officers found the man injured on the ground, with wires protruding from his jacket to his pants and the device strapped to his torso under his coat. They said he was reaching for a cellphone and they grabbed his hands.

A photo published by the New York Post showed a bearded man crumpled on the ground with his shirt apparently blown off and black soot covering his bare midriff. A police officer was holding the man's hands behind his back. Another photo shown on cable channel NY1 featured the bearded suspect, wide-eyed and lying on a stretcher, being loaded into an ambulance.

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Officials say he assembled the crude device in his apartment, and that he was inspired by Islamic Sate, despite having no direct contact with the group. Investigators are talking to witnesses and his family.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident "an attempted terrorist attack," and said, "Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals."

The suspect came to the U.S. on an F-4 visa, which is available to individuals with family who are American citizens. The explosive device was homemade.