Tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories remain high after Friday’s shooting, which police chief Yaakov Shabtai described as “one of the worst terror attacks in the past few years.” The shooter in that attack was also later killed by police forces, according to police.
Two people were wounded in a separate shooting attack on Saturday in the City of David area of Jerusalem, according to police and ambulance services. The victims, one in his 20s and another in his 40s or 50s, were taken to the trauma unit of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the hospital said.
In a statement the police said, “The shooting suspect was neutralized” after a “large police force was called to the scene.” The incident is being treated as a suspected terror attack, according to a preliminary report issued by Jerusalem police.
Friday’s shooter was also later killed by police forces, according to police, in what police chief Yaakov Shabtai described as “one of the worst terror attacks in the past few years.”
“As a result of the shooting attack, the death of 7 civilians was determined and 3 others were injured with additional degrees of injury,” police said.
Five of the shooting victims were pronounced dead at the scene, Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency rescue service said: four men and a woman. Five people were transported to hospitals, where another man and woman were declared dead. Among the wounded is a 15-year-old boy, the MDA said.
The attack occurred around 8:15 p.m. local time on Friday, near a synagogue on Neve Yaakov Street, according to a police statement.
Shabtai said the gunman “started shooting at anyone that was in his way. He got in his car and started a killing spree with a pistol at short range.” He then fled the scene in a vehicle and was killed after a shootout with police forces, police said. Police identified the gunman as a 21-year-old resident of East Jerusalem, saying in a statement that he appeared to have acted alone. East Jerusalem is a predominantly Palestinian area of the city, which was captured by Israel in 1967.
This tragic event has sparked a wave of grief and anger among both Israelis and Palestinians. The death toll from this shooting is devastating, and the fact that it occurred in a place of worship only adds to the horror of the situation. The international community has condemned this act of terror, with leaders from around the world expressing their support for Israel and offering condolences to the victims and their families.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged people against revenge attacks on Friday night. “I call on the people not to take the law into their own hands. For that purpose we have an army, police and security forces. They act and will act according to the cabinet instructions,” he said.
Friday’s incident came one day after the deadliest day for Palestinians in the West Bank in over a year, according to CNN records.
On Thursday, Israeli forces killed nine Palestinians and wounded several others in the West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, prompting the Palestinian Authority to suspend security coordination with Israel. A tenth Palestinian was killed that day in what Israel Police called a “violent disturbance” near Jerusalem.
Overnight, on Friday morning local time, Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza strip after rockets were fired towards Israel. Israel’s controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the scene of the attack on Friday evening, telling people who were chanting angrily at him, “I am here to express my condolences to the families and to tell the residents that we will not rest until the terrorist is caught.”
As the situation remains tense, it is important for all parties to come together and work towards finding a peaceful resolution. The shooting attack on Friday was a devastating tragedy, and the continued violence only serves to fuel the conflict further. The international community must continue to call for an end to the violence, and for all sides to come to the negotiating table to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
In the meantime, it is crucial that the families of the victims have the support they need to grieve and heal. The loss of life is devastating, and it is important that the victims are remembered and honored for their contributions to their communities. As the investigations continue, it is important to find out what led to this tragic event, and to take steps to prevent similar attacks from happening in the future.
The Israeli and Palestinian people have been living in a state of conflict for far too long, and it is time for a lasting peace to be achieved. The international community must come together to support all efforts towards peace, and to find a solution that allows for both Israelis and Palestinians to live in safety and security.
The events of the past few days are a stark reminder of the need for peace and the importance of coming together to find a resolution to the conflict. The world must come together to support the families of the victims and to work towards a peaceful future for all.
