Shortly after 12:30 pm, the shooter arrived at a bus station in Re'em Junction on Highway 40, near Kiryat Malakhi, in a stolen vehicle. He then opened fire at civilians waiting at the bus stop with a handgun.[1][2] Six people were shot.[3]
Magen David Adom paramedics evacuated the victims to the two nearest hospitals: Kaplan Medical CenterinRehovot and Assuta Ashdod Medical CenterinAshdod.[4][5] Kaplan Medical Center later announced that one victim died at the scene, while another was evacuated in serious condition and died at the hospital.[6] The Magen David Adom stated that two of the four injured were in serious condition, and the other two were in moderate condition.[7]
An off-duty IDF reservist who was driving near the scene heard gunshots, and stopped at a gas station. He then loaded his gun and fatally shot the attacker.[3] An eyewitness said they saw him open fire on the shooter about a minute and a half after the attack began.[8]
Clashes broke out in Shuafat between Israel Police forces and residents as Police reportedly headed for Jamjoun's house.[10] Residents threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police officers, who responded using "riot dispersal means".[11]
Doron Turgeman, Israel Police commander of the Jerusalem district, ordered the destruction of Jamjoun's home. After receiving a warrant, police officers cleared the home of Jamjoun's family before sealing it.[11]
Reactions
Domestic
Following the attack, Prime Minister of IsraelBenjamin Netanyahu issued a statement in which he sent condolences to the families affected, and said that the "attack reminds us that the whole country is a front and that the murderers, who come not only from Gaza, want to kill us all. We will continue to fight until complete victory with all our strength, on every front, everywhere, until we restore security and peace to all citizens of Israel".[3][12]
Palestinian groups
Hamas praised the attack and said it was a natural response to Israel's war in Gaza, and called for more Palestinians to take up arms.[13]
Fatah hailed the attack, calling it a "heroic operation in the occupied territories". However, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who also headed the Fatah movement, denounces the statement. His office added “The president is against violence and against terror attacks,”.[14]
Palestine
Crime
