Six people were killed and more than a dozen injured after Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a crowded bus stop in Jerusalem, in one of the deadliest attacks the city has seen in recent years.
The attack occurred during the morning rush hour, with witnesses describing scenes of panic as assailants emerged from a vehicle and began shooting indiscriminately at civilians waiting for transportation. Israeli police said security forces quickly responded, killing the attackers at the scene.
The assault has intensified an already fragile security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the shooting as a “barbaric act of terrorism” and vowed swift retaliation, while Palestinian militant groups praised the attack, framing it as resistance against occupation.
On social media, reactions were divided, with Israelis expressing grief and outrage, while some Palestinian factions circulated celebratory messages. The attack comes amid heightened tensions following months of clashes in the West Bank and escalating hostilities in Gaza.
Analysts warn the bloodshed could trigger a new cycle of violence, undermining fragile diplomatic efforts to restore calm. The international community has begun urging restraint, with U.S. and European leaders calling on both sides to avoid further escalation.
For many in Jerusalem, however, the attack is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of daily life under the shadow of conflict.
As families mourn the victims and security forces brace for potential reprisals, fears are growing that this attack could mark the beginning of a more violent phase in an already volatile region.
