Palestinian Gunmen Kill Six in Attack at Jerusalem Bus Stop
Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a busy bus stop in Jerusalem during morning rush hour, killing six people and wounding twelve others. The attackers were shot and killed at the scene by an Israeli soldier and armed civilians. The attack is the deadliest in Israel since October 2024 and comes amid heightened tensions related to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility. Israeli leadership has warned of wider military raids in response.
Unpacked:
The attackers were identified as two Palestinians from the West Bank, reportedly from the villages of al-Qubeiba and Qatanna, near Ramallah and close to the site of the attack. Authorities confirmed their identities after they were killed at the scene by an Israeli soldier and a civilian.
Israeli authorities imposed a full lockdown in parts of the West Bank and deployed large police and security forces to the area. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel is at war against terrorism and promised to pursue and apprehend anyone involved in the attack or who aided the attackers.
Hamas praised the attack, calling it a 'heroic operation' and a natural response to Israeli actions in Gaza, but did not claim direct responsibility. They called on West Bank Palestinians to escalate resistance against Israel. There is no indication of broader Palestinian community reactions in the immediate aftermath.
The attack occurred amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 63,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 161,000 injured, according to local health authorities. Israeli operations and high civilian casualties have significantly raised tensions across the region, including in Jerusalem and the West Bank.