Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : A shooting at a bus station near Jerusalem on Thursday morning has resulted in the tragic deaths of three Israelis, with 11 others sustaining various injuries. According to Israeli police, the perpetrators of the shooting were two Hamas terrorists who arrived at the Givat Shaul junction on the outskirts of Jerusalem in an armed vehicle. Without warning, they opened fire on unsuspecting victims who were standing at the bus stop. Police swiftly responded to the scene at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time.
The three individuals who lost their lives in this brutal attack have been identified as 73-year-old Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 67-year-old Hana Ifergan, and 24-year-old Livia Dickman. The two shooters, who hailed from east Jerusalem, were subsequently killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in the area. Tragically, a civilian was also caught in the crossfire and lost their life during the exchange.
Israeli media has reported that the shooters were brothers and affiliated with Hamas. “The initial investigation indicates that the terrorists arrived at the scene in the morning by car, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun,” stated a Jerusalem District Police spokesperson. “They began shooting at civilians before being killed at the scene. A subsequent search of their vehicle by the police revealed ammunition and weaponry.”
Survivors of the attack were promptly transported to two local hospitals to receive medical treatment. Three victims with gunshot wounds were admitted to Hadassah Hospital, while four others were being treated for non-physical injuries. Shaarei Tzedek Hospital also received several victims, two of whom tragically succumbed to their injuries. The remaining four victims are being treated, with three in serious condition and one in moderate condition.
The area surrounding the bus station has been cordoned off, and security forces are conducting thorough searches to ensure there are no additional suspects. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew expressed his condemnation of the attack on social media, stating, “Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. We unequivocally condemn such brutal violence. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected.”
In a separate incident, the IDF reported a ramming attack at an Israeli checkpoint near Moshav Beka’ot in the Jordan Valley area. The attacker was neutralized by IDF soldiers at the scene, and two Israeli soldiers sustained minor injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment. The IDF is currently conducting an investigation and searching the area for any additional suspects.
These incidents occurred amid a supposed temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which was established amidst a wider conflict that began when Hamas instigated the war by invading Israel on October 7th.