Gunmen kill six at Jerusalem bus stop in attack by Palestinians

Deadly Shooting Near Jerusalem Leaves Six Dead

Assailants opened fire at a crowded bus stop on the northern outskirts of Jerusalem, leaving six people dead and 12 others wounded, according to Israeli authorities.

Officials stated that two attackers targeted commuters waiting at a busy intersection during the morning rush hour before being stopped by an armed off-duty soldier and a bystander.

Emergency responders identified five of the victims as a man in his 50s, a woman in her 50s, and three men in their 30s. Eleven additional people sustained injuries, with six in serious condition from gunfire.

A government official later confirmed a sixth fatality, stating that the attackers came from the West Bank. While visiting Hungary, the official condemned what he called a "horrific act of violence," adding, "This is part of a broader conflict with extremist factions. Nations worldwide must now decide where they stand."

Security forces were heavily deployed to the area to search for possible explosives or additional assailants. Troops were also reported to be surrounding nearby villages close to Ramallah in response to the attack.

A Palestinian faction commended the two assailants as "fighters" but did not claim responsibility. Another armed group similarly praised the attack without direct involvement.

Ongoing hostilities in Gaza have fueled increased violence in the West Bank and Israel. Clashes between armed groups and civilians have resulted in casualties on both sides.

According to UN reports, at least 49 Israelis have died in attacks in Israel and the West Bank since the conflict escalated. During the same period, over 960 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or civilians.

Israel’s leader, accompanied by a senior security official, visited the attack site, stating, "This conflict persists, even in Jerusalem."

The shooting occurred at a major junction near Jerusalem's northern entrance, in an area captured in 1967 and later incorporated into Israel—an action not recognized by most of the international community.

Photos circulating online appeared to show an improvised firearm left at the scene. Such weapons are often made in small workshops and have been used in previous assaults.

While isolated incidents have occurred in recent months, the last mass shooting with fatalities took place in late 2024, when two attackers from the West Bank opened fire.