JERUSALEM (AFP) - A Palestinian carrying pipe bombs in his bag was arrested and the explosives disarmed near a light rail tram station in downtown Jerusalem on Sunday (July 17), police said.

The suspect, a resident of Beit Ula near Hebron in the occupied West Bank in his early 20s, was standing behind a station carrying a bag when he raised the suspicion of a tram guard, police said.

The guard examined the bag's content, and saw what appeared to be bombs.

He called police, who closed off the area and disarmed "three pipe bombs wired together," a police statement read. Mobile phones and knives were also in the backpack.

The suspect was arrested.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat issued a statement praising the forces for "preventing a large attack," and called on the public to continue its routine.

Violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories since October last year has killed at least 215 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Many of the Palestinian perpetrators have been from the Hebron area.