Hamas-affiliated terrorists jumped out of a care and sprayed a Jerusalem bus stop with gunfire during the morning rush hour, killing three and injuring six. The perpetrators, Murad Namr, 38, and Ibrahim Namr, 30, brothers from East Jerusalem, were identified as the attackers. Previously incarcerated for terrorist activities, they opened fire on the civilians. This act of violence comes almost exactly a year after the bus stop was the scene of a deadly bomb attack​.

The Israeli police detailed the attack, stating, “The terrorists arrived at the scene by car in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun,” and began shooting at civilians. The swift response of two off-duty soldiers and an armed civilian was crucial in neutralizing the terrorists. This intervention was captured by security cameras, showcasing the brave efforts of the responders who engaged in a brief gun battle with the attackers​​​​.

The victims of this brutal attack were Rabbi Elimelech Vaserman, aged 73, Hanna Ifargan, aged 60, and Libia Dikman, aged 24.

Vaserman, a prominent figure in the religious community, served as a judge in the Rabbinical Court of Ashdod. His role was highly esteemed, with Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli describing him as one of the most important and senior judges in the rabbinical court system.

Ifargan, another victim of this senseless violence, was the director of Beit Yaakov Bnos Hadassah, a religious day school for girls located in Beit Shemesh. Her role in shaping the lives of young students highlights the profound impact of her loss on the community.

Dikman, the youngest of the three victims at 24 years old, was confirmed dead at the scene of the attack.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Initially set for four days, the truce was extended to seven days after intense negotiations, mediated by Qatar. Despite the brutal attack, the Israeli military stated that the ceasefire would continue. The terms of the truce included the exchange of 10 Israeli hostages for 30 Palestinian prisoners. The extension of the ceasefire was agreed upon just before its expiration​​.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, expressed his resolve on a social media platform, stating, “This attack is further proof of our commitment to continue fighting with strength and determination against the murderous terrorism that threatens our citizens.” Similarly, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir emphasized the need for strength, stating, “This event proves again how we must not show weakness, that we must speak to Hamas only through the (rifle) scopes, only through the war.” He also mentioned that Israel would continue its policy of easing regulations for issuing gun licenses to private citizens​​.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Tel Aviv at the time, expressed his condolences, saying, “My heart goes out to the victims of this attack,” and highlighted the constant threat of terrorism faced by Israel and Israelis​​.