A Jerusalem bus stop shooting left six people dead and eight others wounded, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the city in recent years. Israeli police said two Palestinian gunmen drove to Ramot Junction on Monday morning and opened fire on commuters. An off-duty soldier and an armed civilian responded quickly, killing the attackers at the scene.
The victims were identified as five men aged between 25 and 79 and a 60-year-old woman. Hospitals confirmed that two of the injured remain in critical condition. Video footage showed chaos as crowds ran for safety while bullets shattered the windows of buses. Survivors described moments of terror, with one woman saying she thought she would die as she fled.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site and declared that Israel is in “an intense war against terrorism on several fronts.” He said security forces had prevented hundreds of attacks this year but could not stop this one. Netanyahu vowed tougher measures against those who aided the attackers and ordered troops to surround villages linked to them.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the assault as “absolute evil,” while French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed outrage. The Palestinian presidency issued a statement rejecting violence against civilians on both sides. Hamas, however, praised the shooting as a “heroic operation,” calling it a response to Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, without claiming direct responsibility.
The Israeli military said troops were encircling Palestinian villages near Ramallah to prevent further violence. Israeli media reported the attackers came from al-Qubeiba and Qatanna, about 10km west of Ramot Junction. Police recovered weapons, ammunition, and a knife from the scene.
The Jerusalem bus stop shooting comes at a sensitive time. Israel has intensified strikes in Gaza City, while U.S.-backed ceasefire and hostage-release proposals remain under discussion. Analysts warn the attack could complicate negotiations and increase tensions across the region.
