During the early hours of a Thursday morning, a fatal incident occurred at a bus stop in Jerusalem, where three individuals lost their lives in an attack executed by two gunmen associated with Hamas. This incident took place amidst the morning rush hour.
Originating from East Jerusalem, the assailants were neutralized by off-duty soldiers and a civilian who was armed, as reported by the police. This confrontation also resulted in injuries to at least eight other individuals.
According to the police, the attackers arrived at the location in a vehicle, equipped with an M-16 rifle and a handgun. They commenced firing at the people present before being fatally shot at the scene.
Surveillance footage reviewed by Reuters depicted a white car halting near the busy bus stop. From this vehicle, two armed individuals emerged and rushed towards the crowd, causing panic and scattering. These attackers from Palestine were shortly thereafter shot.
The site, thronged with morning commuters, saw a swift response from a significant number of first responders and security personnel. Israeli media outlets identified the deceased victims as two women, one in her 20s and the other in her 60s, along with a rabbi aged 74.
The Shin Bet security agency of Israel identified the shooters as brothers, aged 30 and 38, linked to Hamas, the governing body in Gaza. Their history included previous incarcerations in Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, addressed the situation, highlighting the connection of these attackers with Hamas, the group responsible for the Oct. 7 massacre. In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem, Netanyahu expressed his firm resolve to eliminate Hamas, emphasizing that nothing would deter this mission.
Hamas, an organization committed to the destruction of Israel, accepted responsibility for the Jerusalem attack, labeling it as “heroic.” They justified the attack as a reaction to Israel’s actions in Gaza and their treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s right-wing minister for police, spoke at the attack site, emphasizing the need for a strong stance against Hamas, suggesting military engagement as the only mode of communication.
The policy of easing gun license regulations for civilians in Israel will continue, he added.
Blinken, on his third visit to the region since the outbreak of the war, expressed his condolences for the victims, underlining the constant threat of terrorism faced by Israel and its citizens.
In a separate incident in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military reported injuries to two soldiers due to a car-ramming attack at a checkpoint, where the assailant was shot and neutralized. There was no immediate response from the Palestinian side.
This surge in violence coincided with a provisional agreement between Israel and Hamas to extend their six-day ceasefire in Gaza by an additional day. This extension was aimed at providing more time for negotiations regarding the exchange of hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners.
