A devastating terrorist attack struck Jerusalem on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, with 21 others injured. The assault took place at the Ramot Junction, where two attackers opened fire on unsuspecting civilians waiting at a bus stop and riding a bus. Eyewitness accounts and responses from officials highlight the chaos and tragedy of the day.
According to the Jerusalem Post, among the deceased were at least three rabbis. Emergency responders faced a harrowing scene when they arrived. Paramedic Nadav Taib recounted, “When we arrived, we saw people lying unconscious on the road, on the side of the road, and on the sidewalk near a bus stop. There was a lot of destruction, shattered glass on the floor, and a lot of commotion.” His colleague, paramedic Fadi Dkaidek, echoed the severity of the situation, stating, “The wounded were lying on the road and sidewalk near a bus station, some of them unconscious.”
The attack not only left physical destruction but also instilled fear among those who witnessed it. An elderly woman passenger recalled the moment of the shooting, saying, “Gunfire like nothing I’ve ever experienced.” Witnesses reported that the incident began as a bus pulled up to the stop and a suspicious man was seen making a phone call just before the shooters arrived.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack with resolve, stating that such acts of terror only bolster their commitment to “complete our missions, in Judea and Samaria, too — everywhere.” He emphasized the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed Israel’s determination to combat Hamas and secure the release of all hostages. “Sadly, the war also continues in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, where we have acted with great force,” he noted.
Visual evidence of the attack was captured on dashcam footage, showing the moments leading up to the tragedy. Both attackers, identified as Palestinians from the West Bank, were shot dead by an off-duty soldier and multiple civilians who intervened. The terrorists used a makeshift “Carlo,” a type of submachine gun, which intensified fears over the level of violence.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asserted that the event highlighted the effectiveness of his strategy to encourage civilians to carry firearms for self-defense. “Weapons save lives,” he stated, pointing to the importance of armed citizens in preventing further loss of life.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his sorrow, condemning the brutal killing of innocent civilians: “A painful and difficult morning. Innocent civilians, women, men, and children were brutally murdered and wounded in cold blood on a bus in Jerusalem by vile and evil terrorists.” He praised the heroic actions that managed to save even more lives amid the carnage. Herzog further remarked on the nature of the attack, calling it “absolute evil,” and emphasized the global understanding of such threats.
In stark contrast, Hamas lauded the attack as a “heroic and unique operation,” framing it as a response to what they describe as Israel’s “ongoing aggression” against Palestinians. This glaring difference in perspective illustrates the deep-seated and complex conflict in the region.
This brutal incident serves not only as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence but also as a testament to the courage displayed by those who risk their lives to protect others. The loss of life, particularly notable in the deaths of respected community leaders, leaves a profound impact on the community and beyond.
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