Jerusalem, Israel — A deadly shooting attack during Monday morning rush hour claimed the lives of six people and left at least 12 others wounded at a bus stop in northern Jerusalem, near the entrance to East Jerusalem settlements. The assault, which Israeli authorities are calling a terrorist attack, has further escalated tensions amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The attack occurred at a major intersection near the city’s northern entrance, a busy transit point that connects central Jerusalem to surrounding neighborhoods and Jewish settlements.
According to eyewitnesses and emergency services:
- Two gunmen opened fire on civilians waiting at the bus stop.
- Some reports suggest the attackers may have briefly boarded a bus before being confronted.
- Both assailants were shot and killed on the scene by an off-duty Israeli soldier and an armed civilian.
- A third suspect was later arrested, though his connection to the shooting remains under investigation.
Israeli authorities have identified the attackers as Palestinian men from the West Bank. Although Hamas did not claim direct responsibility for the incident, the group praised the shooting, calling it a "natural response to the occupation's crimes."
This language has drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli officials, who view such attacks as deliberate escalations in the broader regional conflict.
This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli soil since the escalation of the Gaza War, further intensifying an already volatile situation.
Key Developments:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site shortly after the attack, vowing to pursue all individuals connected to the assailants.
- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have since encircled several Palestinian villages near Ramallah, tightening security across the West Bank.
- The violence unfolded as Hamas was reportedly reviewing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Statements from Officials
“This was a brutal and calculated act of terror aimed at innocent civilians,” said an Israeli police spokesperson. “We will use all means necessary to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice.”
The shooting adds another layer to the deepening humanitarian and political crisis unfolding across Israel and the Palestinian territories. It comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to broker peace appear increasingly fragile.
Security analysts warn that lone-wolf or small-cell attacks could continue as long as the conflict in Gaza remains unresolved and tensions flare across the West Bank.
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