A mass shooting at Jerusalem’s Ramot Junction left six people dead and dozens wounded, raising fears of renewed regional escalation.
At a Glance
- Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a crowded Ramot Junction bus stop in Jerusalem, killing six and wounding about 21.
- The attackers were killed at the scene by an IDF soldier and an armed civilian.
- A Spanish national was among the dead, adding international fallout to the bloodshed.
- Israeli forces sealed nearby West Bank villages as raids began to track accomplices.
The Attack
At 10:13 a.m. local time, two Palestinian gunmen launched fire at commuters waiting at Ramot Junction. Six people were killed instantly, with about 21 more wounded.
The chaos ended when an IDF soldier and an armed civilian opened fire, killing both attackers on the spot. Passengers described shattered glass, blood, and frantic screams at one of Jerusalem’s busiest intersections.
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Emergency teams rushed in within minutes. Security forces secured the scene, while police warned residents to avoid the junction until explosives checks cleared.
Victims and Fallout
Among the victims were several rabbis and community figures, along with a Spanish national whose death drew sharp diplomatic reaction. Spain condemned Israel’s Gaza operations and recalled its ambassador.
Israeli forces reacted by encircling four West Bank villages tied to the shooters. Roads were blocked, and dozens of homes were searched in the hours following the assault.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the scene hours later. He vowed Israel would intensify its war on terror and warned Palestinians of further military blows.
Political Reverberations
Hamas praised the shooting as a “heroic operation” and claimed it was a justified response to occupation. Islamic Jihad echoed the support, while the Palestinian Authority condemned the violence.
European reaction was swift. Spain’s government denounced Israel’s war in Gaza and tied the Jerusalem bloodshed to wider conflict. The EU condemned the attack and urged restraint on all sides.
Israel’s military leaders promised a “hurricane” of strikes on Gaza in retaliation. American proposals for a cease-fire, including those linked to prisoner swaps, now face greater political resistance.
