At least five individuals have lost their lives, and many others have been injured after a group of gunmen attacked a bus in Jerusalem, firing automatic weapons at its passengers.
The incident occurred at the Ramot Junction on Yigal Yadin Street in Jerusalem on Monday morning, around 10:13am. The assailants were shot dead.
Harrowing footage of the attack showed dozens of people fleeing from a bus stop at the busy intersection during the morning rush hour.
Israeli media reported that the two attackers boarded a bus and opened fire.
Hamas hailed the attack without claiming responsibility, calling it a ‘natural response to the occupation’s crimes against our people’.
Paramedics arriving at the incident described a scene of chaos, with shattered glass everywhere and victims lying both unconscious and wounded on the street and sidewalk near the bus stop.
Bomb disposal teams were on site to ensure safety while forensic units gathered evidence. Reports indicated that emergency blood supplies were urgently dispatched from the central bank in Ramla.
A paramedic at the scene recalled: ‘When we arrived, we saw people lying on the road, unconscious, near the bus stop.
The shooting took place at a major intersection at the northern entrance to Jerusalem
Pictures show the two suspects lying dead on the ground
Israel’s emergency services announced that at least four people were killed and over a dozen were hurt by gunfire at a road junction in east Jerusalem on Monday.
A bus with bullet holes in the windscreen is inspected. The shooting took place at a major intersection at the northern entrance to Jerusalem
Israeli police at the scene of where the attack took place
CCTV footage from the incident shows a civilian charging at the suspects
A harrowing clip shows how dozens of people running away from a bus stop
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have visited the scene
‘There was widespread destruction, shattered glass, and chaos. We immediately began treating the wounded and continue evacuations to hospitals.’
There was no immediate comment on the attack from Palestinian militant groups. Authorities have also not disclosed any motives.
The Israeli military said it had sent soldiers to the area to help cops search for suspects.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated he was evaluating the situation alongside security officials. He was observed visiting the attack site with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
In response, the Israeli army reportedly sealed off all checkpoints between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and access routes to the scene were also closed.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said Sunday he was issuing a ‘last warning’ to Hamas, saying the Palestinian militant group must accept a deal to release hostages in Gaza.
‘The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning,’ Trump said on social media, without elaborating further.
In a statement released shortly after, Hamas said it was ready to ‘immediately sit at the negotiating table’ following what it described as ‘some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement.’
Emergency workers who responded to the scene said the area was chaotic and covered in broken glass
Forensic teams were seen scouring the area in the aftermath of the attack
According to Israeli media, two suspects boarded a bus and began opening fire
US news outlet Axios reported Sunday that White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new proposal for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal to Hamas last week.
The White House has not released any details.
In early March, Trump issued a similar ultimatum to Hamas, demanding it free all remaining hostages immediately and turn over bodies of dead hostages, saying if not, ‘it is OVER for you.’
Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the US president’s latest intervention as a ‘true breakthrough.’
Hamas militants seized 251 hostages during the massive October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, with 47 still believed to be in Gaza.
The Israeli military says 25 of them are dead. Israel is seeking the return of their remains.
Earlier reports indicated that 15 people were wounded and at least five were in serious condition.
An official collects evidence from the windscreen of the bus
Prime minister Netanyahu was said to be assessing the situation with heads of security
Israel’s military was also deployed to assist the police hunt for suspects
The war in Gaza has sparked a surge of violence in both the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Israel.
Palestinian militants have attacked and killed Israelis in Israel and the West Bank, while there has also been a rise in settler violence against Palestinians.
While there have been scattered attacks over the past months in Israel, the last deadly mass shooting attack was in October 2024, when two Palestinians from the West Bank opened fire on a major boulevard and light rail station in the Tel Aviv area, killing seven people and leaving many others wounded.
Hamas’ military wing claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to police, the two men opened fire in the Jaffa neighbourhood of Tel Aviv, including shooting directly into a light rail carriage crowded with passengers that was stopped at a station.
This is a breaking news story with more to come.
