A shooting attack in the West Bank, reportedly carried out by three Palestinians, has resulted in one fatality and eight injuries. The attack occurred on a road connecting an Israeli settlement with Jerusalem. This incident comes during a heightened period of violence in the area.
The Israeli police received a report of a terrorist attack involving shooting near Maale Adumim, an Israeli settlement approximately 10 kilometers from Jerusalem.
The official account states that the three men approached in vehicles on Highway 1 towards Jerusalem and began firing automatic M-16 weapons at civilians who were trapped in a traffic jam near the Azaim checkpoint.
Security forces at the scene neutralized two attackers, while another who attempted to flee was also neutralized. Reportedly, two attackers died, and one was apprehended.
Israel’s internal intelligence services have identified the attackers as three Palestinians from Bethlehem: Mohamed Zawahra (26), his brother Kadam (31), and Ahmed al Wahsh (31).
Emergency service, United Hatzalah, reported one fatality from the attack. Additionally, Magen David Adom, a paramedic service, reported five gunshot wounds, including a 23-year-old man in serious condition, two women aged 23 and 30, and two 40-year-old men in moderate to mild condition.
On the previous Friday, two individuals were killed and four others injured in a shooting attack at a southern Israel bus station. The attacker was neutralized at the scene by a civilian.
Currently, Israel and the occupied West Bank are witnessing the highest levels of violence since the Second Intifada (2000-2005). The situation has deteriorated since the war erupted on October 7 between Hamas, the Islamist group controlling the Gaza Strip, and Israel.
Since the beginning of the year, 72 Palestinians and seven Israelis have lost their lives due to violent incidents in the area.
