Jerusalem: Armed Islamist militants storm bus, open fire on passengers, killing at least six as Hamas hails the assault

Image: Jihad Watch

A devastating terror attack shook Jerusalem on Monday morning, when armed assailants opened fire on civilians at the bustling Ramot Junction, leaving at least six people dead and dozens more wounded. The assault, carried out during the morning rush hour, turned a routine day into one of grief and bloodshed in the Israeli capital.

Authorities released the names of several victims whose lives were cut short. Among them was Yaakov Pinto, 25, a young man who had recently immigrated from Spain and was newly married; Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Pash, a respected Torah teacher at a Jerusalem yeshiva; Israel Mentzer, 28, and Yosef David, 43, both longtime residents of the Ramot neighborhood. Later in the day, two more of the wounded succumbed to their injuries: Sarah Mendelson, 60, and Rabbi Mordechai Steinsteg, 79, who had been receiving treatment at Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

The attack left a heavy toll beyond the fatalities. At least 21 individuals sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe, while upwards of 26 others were treated for shock and anxiety. Victims were rushed to multiple hospitals across the city, including Shaare Zedek and the Hadassah-University Medical Centers at both Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, where medical teams worked urgently to stabilize the wounded.

According to security officials, the terrorists boarded a Line 62 bus, a service route that traverses much of Jerusalem, and began indiscriminately shooting at passengers and bystanders. Panic erupted as commuters attempted to flee, but the swift reaction of both armed civilians and a nearby soldier helped prevent an even greater tragedy. The attackers were ultimately neutralized at the scene.

Investigations later identified the gunmen as being in their twenties, originating from towns near Ramallah—El-Kubeiba and Katanna. In the aftermath, both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued statements praising the assault, though they stopped short of directly claiming responsibility.

The Israeli security apparatus has since widened its operations in the West Bank. The Shin Bet announced the arrest of an east Jerusalem resident, suspected of transporting the terrorists to the attack site. Meanwhile, the IDF and police launched an intensive sweep of villages surrounding Ramallah, setting up checkpoints, conducting searches, and questioning residents in an effort to dismantle potential support networks and prevent further violence.

What began as an ordinary morning commute for Jerusalem’s residents has now left an entire community mourning, underscoring once again the ongoing fragility of daily life in a city that has long stood at the center of conflict and resilience.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)