Six Dead, Many Injured in Jerusalem Bus Stop Shooting
In a shocking act of violence, a deadly shooting took place at a bus station in East Jerusalem, leaving six people dead and injuring at least 15 others. The shooting happened on Monday morning at a major intersection at the northern entrance to Jerusalem, on a road leading to Jewish settlements located in east Jerusalem. Two gunmen are reported to have boarded a bus and opened fire, before being shot and neutralised
by the police.
A Deadly Morning
According to various sources, including Corriere della Sera, South China Morning Post, and Middle East Eye, the attackers targeted a bus at Ramot junction, a bustling intersection in the northern part of the city. The victims of the attack include Torah scholars, a newlywed husband, a cardiologist-baker, and the 'mother' of a religious youth group, as reported by The Times of Israel.
The attackers are believed to have used a type of submachine gun known as Carlo
, a low-cost and rudimentary weapon often used in urban conflict situations due to its ease of production, as per Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica.
Investigation Underway
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as quoted by Middle East Eye, stated that the attack would strengthen
their resolve in the fight against terrorism
. He added, We are now engaged in pursuit and are cordoning off the villages from which the murderers came
.
Israeli media reported that the gunmen reportedly came from the West Bank, prompting calls from Israeli officials for tougher measures against Palestinians living under Israeli military rule there, as per RT (Russia Today).
Reactions and Retaliation
The incident has led to an increased tension in the region, with Israeli officials vowing revenge for the attack. Hamas and Al-Quds Brigades have commended the operation as a heroic
act carried out by two Palestinian resistance fighters
, according to Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera English. An Israeli minister has even called for the dismantlement of the Palestinian Authority after the attack, as stated by RT (Russia Today).
Current Status
The area was reported to be chaotic and covered in broken glass, with people wounded and lying unconscious on the road and a sidewalk near the bus stop, as detailed by Fox News. However, a few hours after the attack, Ramot Junction was reported to be getting back to normal, as per Sky News World.
The attack has exposed Israel's security vulnerabilities and has added more fuel to the already raging fire of conflict. As the investigation continues, the world watches, waiting to see how this tragic event will shape the future of Jerusalem.