In a stark reminder of the fragile calm, two gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in East Jerusalem's Ramot neighborhood during Monday's morning rush hour, killing six commuters and wounding dozens.
According to police, the attackers targeted passengers at Ramot Junction before boarding a bus and firing an improvised submachine gun and a handgun. Security forces and a civilian legally armed bystander returned fire, killing both assailants on the scene.
Magen David Adom reported the victims include one woman and five men, while six others remain in critical condition. Jerusalem hospitals received 38 patients overall, most with light to moderate wounds.
Security officials cited initial findings that the gunmen came from the villages of Qatanna and Al-Qubeiba in the West Bank, though no group has claimed responsibility. Footage from the scene shows shattered bus windows and shattered glass scattering the pavement as commuters fled in panic.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency "situation assessment" with top security officials, highlighting concerns over further escalation. On the diplomatic front, the European Union condemned the attack and renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said, "We condemn this attack, just as we condemn all loss of lives."
The shooting marks one of the deadliest incidents in Jerusalem in recent months, unfolding against nearly two years of intense military operations in the Gaza Strip and a parallel rise in settler violence and Palestinian attacks in the West Bank. For global citizens and policymakers alike, the incident underscores the urgent need to address the cycle of retaliation and protect civilians on all sides.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
