Terrorist Opens Fire on Bus Near Jerusalem, 12-year-old Killed

December 12, 2024

by: Elisha Ben Kimon and Liran Tamari ~ Ynetnews

 

Thursday, 12 December | A 12-year-old boy, Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha, was killed in a shooting attack late Wednesday on a civilian bus traveling from the Gush Etzion area to Jerusalem. The boy was taken in critical condition to the capital’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries overnight.

“Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, the medical team had to declare the boy’s death. Our hearts are with the family in this difficult time,” the hospital said in a statement.

The boy’s family had been returning to Jerusalem from a family event in Beitar Illit when the attack occurred.

A woman in her 40s sustained gunshot wounds to her limbs and was fully conscious. She was transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in moderate condition. Two other passengers, aged 24 and 55, suffered minor injuries from gunfire and shattered glass and were treated at the scene.

The hospital initially reported that a young man had arrived in moderate-to-serious condition but later clarified that only the woman, who was moderately injured, had been admitted.

The bus reached a military checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem carrying the injured, where emergency responders provided medical assistance. Several individuals suffering from shock received treatment at the scene.

Magen David Adom [Israel’s national emergency and ambulance service] paramedic Elchai Sofer and EMT Yaakov Grinwald said, “We arrived quickly and saw the bus still with passengers on board. A 12-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to his upper body was in critical condition. We provided life-saving treatment and transported him to Hadassah Ein Kerem while fighting to save his life.”

The assailant, reportedly firing from a passing vehicle, struck the bus with 23 bullets before fleeing the scene. Security forces launched a manhunt, suspecting the attacker may have had accomplices.

Footage from the scene showed passengers, including women and children, fleeing the bus and running toward security forces. The authenticity and context of the video remain unclear, including whether gunfire heard was from the attacker or security personnel.

The Israel Defense Forces [IDF] confirmed the incident as a terror attack. “A terrorist opened fire on an Israeli civilian bus near the al-Khader junction in the Gush Etzion Brigade’s area,” the army said in a statement. “Several civilians were injured and are receiving medical treatment. Security forces have launched a pursuit, establishing roadblocks and encircling Bethlehem.”

Shortly after, police closed Begin Road southbound from Jerusalem to aid the search effort. A joint command center involving the IDF, Shin Bet [Israeli internal security organization], Border Police and local police was established to gather intelligence on the suspect vehicle.

Senior officials, including Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, Judea and Samaria District Police Commander Moshe Pinto and Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein, arrived at the scene.

A security official told Ynetnews the gunman had reportedly approached Palestinian security forces, who refused to shelter him but confiscated his weapon.

Security forces have encircled the Palestinian village of Husan and the city of Bethlehem as part of the ongoing manhunt. Military officials are investigating reports that the attacker may have continued shooting near the checkpoint, though these remain unconfirmed.

The Yesha Council, representing Israeli settlements in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], called for decisive action, saying, “This horrific attack is not inevitable. It is time to dismantle terror infrastructure, move forces into cities and neutralize threats. The enemy in Bethlehem is no different from the enemy in Gaza. The response must be the same.”

The attack follows a similar shooting last week near Ariel, where a bus driver, Hassan al-Sakhan, was critically wounded after six bullets struck the windshield of his vehicle. He was evacuated to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, where doctors managed to stabilize his condition.

Posted on December 12, 2024

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on December 12, 2024. See original article at this link.)

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