At least six people are dead and more than a dozen others injured after two Palestinian gunmen opened fire Monday morning at a crowded bus stop in northern Jerusalem. The attack unfolded at Ramot Junction, a major intersection on the road leading to Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, during rush hour. Israeli officials say the shooters arrived by car, opened fire on passengers and bystanders, and were quickly neutralized by a nearby security officer and an armed civilian.
Casualties Confirmed
Israel’s ambulance service, Magen David Adom, confirmed that six victims were killed, including a man and woman in their fifties and three men in their thirties. The sixth victim has not yet been identified. At least 14–15 others were wounded in the attack, with five to six listed in serious condition. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled the intersection, leaving broken glass, bullet holes, and unconscious victims scattered across the sidewalk.
Attackers Neutralized
Police reported that the two attackers were shot dead within minutes of the assault. Israeli officials confirmed they were Palestinians from the West Bank. Weapons and additional ammunition were recovered at the scene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are now encircling the attackers’ communities in the West Bank, calling the incident another reminder of the country’s ongoing security threats.
Terror Groups React
While no group has claimed direct responsibility, both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad praised the attack, calling the gunmen “resistance fighters.” Neither group issued a statement of accountability, a move analysts suggest is meant to avoid immediate Israeli retaliation. Hamas and PIJ have both previously orchestrated attacks on Israeli civilians.
Netanyahu’s Response
Prime Minister Netanyahu made a brief appearance at the scene of the attack, where he received updates from police and paramedics before returning to a security assessment meeting. “Our forces are encircling the areas in the West Bank from which the attackers came,” he said, vowing to continue counter-terror operations until safety is restored.
Regional Context
The shooting comes as the war in Gaza nears its second anniversary following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre. Nearly two years of fighting have fueled surging violence across both Israel and the West Bank. Analysts warn that terrorist groups are expanding their targets, focusing on soft civilian locations such as bus stops, schools, and public transit hubs.
History of Attacks
Monday’s attack is the deadliest shooting in Jerusalem since October 2024, when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a Tel Aviv light rail station, killing seven. That attack was later claimed by Hamas’s military wing. Israeli officials say the similarities between the two incidents show a coordinated strategy to maximize civilian casualties and spread fear across daily life in Israel.
International Reaction
Statements condemning the attack are already coming in from Western governments, with U.S. officials reiterating support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The Israeli embassy released a statement on social media declaring, “This is the evil Israel faces. Two terrorists opened fire on a bus in Jerusalem targeting passengers and bystanders. The war Israel fights is for all who stand against terror.”
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