In a shocking incident in the occupied West Bank, three Israelis, identified as two women in their sixties and a man in his forties, were killed after a Palestinian assailant opened fire on a bus and other vehicles. The attack took place near the village of al-Funduq along Highway 55, leaving eight others injured, with the bus driver reportedly in critical condition.
Paramedics from the Magen David Adom ambulance service described the scene as harrowing, with severe gunshot wounds evident on the deceased. "We had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene," stated paramedic Avichai Ben Tzurya. "The bus suffered multiple injuries from both gunfire and shattered glass."
Israeli military officials labeled the shooters as "terrorists" and reported an ongoing manhunt for the two attackers who fled the scene. Roadblocks have been established, and several towns in the vicinity have been surrounded as security forces ramp up their search efforts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act, vowing to bring the "abhorrent murderers" to justice. He communicated on X that "No-one will get away," underscoring the government's commitment to seeking retribution.
While no armed group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, Hamas hailed it as a "heroic response" to ongoing violence in Gaza, further fueling the regional turmoil. The incident contributes to an alarming increase in violence between Israelis and Palestinians, which has escalated since Hamas launched a lethal assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Palestinian health ministry reported further casualties as Israeli forces conducted operations in the West Bank, leading to the deaths of a 17-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man, sparking additional concern over the burgeoning conflict in the area.
