Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Deadly Shooting at Bus Station Near Jerusalem Leaves Three Israelis Dead and Several Injured
In a tragic incident on Thursday morning, a shooting at a bus station near Jerusalem resulted in the death of three Israelis and left 11 others injured. According to the Israeli police, the attack was carried out by two Hamas terrorists who drove to the Givat Shaul junction on the outskirts of Jerusalem in an armed vehicle. The terrorists then opened fire on unsuspecting victims at the bus stop. The police quickly responded to the scene at around 7:40 a.m. local time.
The victims of this horrific shooting were identified as 73-year-old Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 67-year-old Hana Ifergan, and 24-year-old Livia Dickman. The two shooters, who were from east Jerusalem, were later shot and killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the area. Unfortunately, a civilian was also caught in the exchange of fire and lost their life.
Israeli media reported that the shooters were brothers and affiliated with Hamas, a Palestinian militant group. The initial investigation revealed that the terrorists arrived at the scene in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun. They indiscriminately opened fire at civilians before being neutralized by the IDF. A search of their vehicle uncovered additional ammunition and weaponry.
The surviving victims were swiftly transported to two nearby hospitals for treatment. At the Hadassah Hospital, three victims with gunshot wounds received medical attention. Additionally, four other victims sought treatment for non-physical injuries. Meanwhile, at the Shaarei Tzedek Hospital, two victims succumbed to their injuries, while four others were being treated, including three in serious condition and one in moderate condition.
Following the attack, the area was cordoned off, and authorities initiated searches to ensure there were no additional suspects at large. U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, took to social media to condemn the brutal violence and express his condolences to the families of the victims.
In a separate incident, the IDF reported a ramming attack at an Israeli checkpoint near Moshav Beka’ot in the Jordan Valley area. The IDF soldiers present at the scene successfully neutralized the assailant, but two Israeli soldiers sustained minor injuries and were evacuated to a hospital for treatment. Investigations are ongoing, and the IDF is conducting thorough searches in the area for any potential additional suspects.
These incidents occurred during a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which was established amidst a wider conflict that began when Hamas initiated an invasion of Israel on October 7.
The tragic shooting near Jerusalem has once again highlighted the ongoing security challenges faced by Israel and the need for continued vigilance in the face of terrorism.