Jerusalem terror attack: 3 killed, 6 hospitalized in serious-to-light condition

Three Israelis were murdered Thursday morning, when two terrorists opened fire from their car at Givat Shaul junction, near the entrance to Jerusalem.

A 24-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene. Shortly thereafter a 73-year-old man was declared dead. A third victim, a 60-year-old woman was pronounced dead shortly after 9 am local time. Eleven additional people were wounded, five of them seriously, and were evacuated to Jerusalem area hospitals Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem.

Terrorists opened fire at civilians standing at a bus stop using an automatic weapon and a handgun. Nearby security forces and a civilian responded to the attack. One of the terrorists was reportedly shot and in serious condition and the second one eliminated.

The terrorists were identified as brothers Murad and Ebrahim Nemer, both residents of East Jerusalem who had served time in Israeli prisons for security offenses. Listed as 38 and 30-years-old, they were both affiliated with Hamas.

According to Hebrew media, one of the responders to the scene was a soldier on leave from serving in Gaza who was on his way back to the frontline. In video footage from the attack, he can be scene emerging from a car with his weapon and running toward the terrorists.

Jerusalem District Superintendent Doron Turgeman arrived on the scene to conduct a security assessment. A scan of the area was conducted to rule out the possibility of additional assailants.

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, called it a serious attack and praised "The quick response of the citizen and the soldier who arrived at the scene prevented a much bigger disaster. We will increase the presence of security patrols in the city in order to strengthen the sense of security among the residents." 

The new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, was quick to respond to the attack, writing on X: "Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. We unequivocally condemn such brutal violence. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected."