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 reported 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, neutralising the attackers, the police stated.
The deceased included five men aged between 25 and 79, and a 60-year-old woman, with two of the wounded reported to be in serious condition.
No immediate claim of responsibility was made by any armed groups, but Hamas 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. He noted that despite Israeli security forces having thwarted hundreds of attacks this year, this one succeeded.
The military has since tightened security in the area, encircling Palestinian villages in the West Bank from which the attackers originated.
Eyewitness accounts described chaos as civilians fled the bus stop when the shooting began. One survivor recounted, I thought I was going to die as she ran for safety.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with leaders voicing their solidarity with Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed horror at the violence.
The Palestinian presidency condemned all violence against civilians, reiterating a call for peace while the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas escalates. This shooting occurs amid ongoing military actions in Gaza City, highlighting the precarious security situation in the region.
