A deadly shooting at a bus station near Jerusalem has left three Israelis dead and 11 others injured on Thursday morning. The attack, carried out by two Hamas terrorists, has sparked condemnation from Israeli officials and the international community.
According to Israeli police, the shooting took place around 7:40 a.m. local time at the Givat Shaul junction on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The two attackers, identified as brothers from east Jerusalem, drove to the area in an armed vehicle and opened fire on unsuspecting victims waiting at the bus stop.
Three victims, identified as 73-year-old Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 67-year-old Hana Ifergan, and 24-year-old Livia Dickman, were killed in the shooting. Israeli police responded quickly and shot and killed the two attackers at the scene. A civilian was also shot and killed during the exchange.
Israeli media reports that the attackers were known to be associated with Hamas, a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other countries. In a statement, a spokesman for Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack and praised the shooters as “martyrs.”
“The initial investigation indicates that the terrorists arrived at the scene in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun,” a spokesperson for the Jerusalem District Police said. “They began shooting at civilians before being neutralized by police and IDF soldiers.”
Hamas has claimed responsibility for a shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop that left at least three people dead and 16 others injured Thursday morning.
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The surviving victims were transported to two area hospitals for treatment. At Hadassah Hospital, three victims suffering gunshot wounds were admitted, along with four others with non-physical injuries. Shaarei Tzedek Hospital received several victims, two of whom succumbed to their injuries. Four others were being treated, including three in serious condition and one in moderate condition.
The area of the attack has been blocked off and searches are ongoing to rule out any additional suspects. In a separate incident, an assailant rammed into an Israeli checkpoint adjacent to Moshav Beka’ot in the Jordan Valley area. IDF soldiers at the scene shot and neutralized the attacker, who injured two soldiers. The IDF continues to search the area for any additional threats.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, condemned the attack on social media, stating, “Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. We unequivocally condemn such brutal violence. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected.”
The shooting in Jerusalem comes amid a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which has been in place since Oct. 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israeli territory. The conflict has led to several deaths and sparked international concern.
As Israel mourns the loss of innocent lives in this senseless act of violence, the international community continues to call for a swift end to the conflict and a return to peace in the region. Investigations into the attacks are ongoing as the nation remains on high alert for any further threats.
