ALBAWABA - Nine Israeli settlers, including three in critical condition, were injured in a shooting attack on Friday near the "Ariel" settlement in the northern West Bank. Israeli authorities confirmed the assailant was "neutralized" at the scene.
According to Israeli media reports, a Palestinian gunman stopped near a busy junction close to the settlement and opened fire with an automatic weapon at a bus carrying settlers. The attack resulted in a mix of severe, moderate, and minor injuries among the passengers, as well as damage to the vehicle.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that emergency services confirmed nine injuries: three individuals in critical condition, one moderately injured, and the remaining five with minor wounds.
Israeli military and police forces swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area. An army spokesperson stated that the attacker was "neutralized," without clarifying whether they had been killed. Later reports indicated the gunman succumbed to injuries sustained during the response by security forces.
Initial investigations revealed that the attacker exited his car and fired multiple rounds at the bus, targeting soldiers and civilians onboard.
In addition to the bus attack, Maariv newspaper reported that a police patrol in the area was also fired upon during the incident. Security forces are now conducting searches in the vicinity for potential accomplices or additional threats.
The attack has heightened tensions in the region, with Israeli authorities ramping up security measures in response.
