Six Israelis have been killed and eight others wounded by Palestinian gunmen in one of the deadliest shooting attacks in Jerusalem in the past few years.
Israeli police stated that two terrorists arrived in a vehicle and opened fire towards a bus stop at Ramot Junction, on the city's northern outskirts. An off-duty soldier and a civilian returned fire, neutralizing the attackers.
The fatalities included five men aged between 25 and 79 and a 60-year-old woman. Local hospitals reported that two of the injured are in serious condition.
Though no immediate claim of responsibility came from armed groups, Hamas later praised the attack.
During a visit to the scene, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is engaged in an intense war against terrorism on several fronts.\”, noting that Israeli security forces had thwarted numerous attacks this year but lamenting this latest incident.
The Israeli military indicated that they were encircling Palestinian villages near Ramallah in response to the attack, stating they would apprehend anyone who aided the gunmen.
The attack occurred at the end of the morning rush hour, as civilians were preparing for their day. Witnesses reported a scene of chaos with people fleeing amid the sounds of gunfire.
Israeli media later identified the dead as Yaakov Pinto, 25; Yisrael Metzner, 28; Rabbi Yosef David, 43; Levi Itzhak Pash, 57; and Mordechai Mark Steintzag, 79, along with Sarah Mendelson, 60.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence, describing it as an attack on innocent citizens and calling it absolute evil. International reactions included condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee, who voiced support for Israel.
In a statement, the Palestinian presidency condemned the violence against civilians, while Hamas referred to the attackers as resistance fighters and claimed the assault was a response to ongoing Israeli actions in the region.
This incident comes amid heightened military actions in Gaza City and ongoing discussions for potential ceasefire agreements.
