WhatsappTwo explosions struck bus stops near separate entrances to the Israeli capital in a coordinated terror attack.
(JNS) One person was killed and more than a dozen injured on Wednesday in two explosions at bus stops located near entrances to Jerusalem, according to police.
While the source of the blasts was being investigated, media reports said that they were caused by bombs left in bags.
The first blast occurred near the main entrance to the Israeli capital shortly after 7 a.m. local time, and the second about 30 minutes later at the Ramot junction.
Twelve people were injured in the first explosion, four seriously, with one later succumbing to their wounds, according to medics. Three people were lightly injured in the second blast, and several others were suffering from anxiety.
The victims were evacuated to Jerusalem’s Shaare Tzedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem medical centers.
Security forces were searching in and around Jerusalem for potential suspects.
Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai visited one of the scenes and held a situation assessment together with Jerusalem Police District head Doron Turgeman.
“This is a type of attack that we haven’t seen for many years,” said Shabtai.
He called on the Israeli public to be alert for suspicious packages, adding that every bus in the Israeli capital would be searched.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz held a situation analysis following the attacks, together with the head of the Israel Security Agency and the Israel Defense Forces deputy chief of staff, among other officials.
Israeli Prime Minister-desginate Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted: “Praying for the peace of the injured in the combined attack in Jerusalem this morning and strengthening the hands of the security forces operating in the field.”
מתפלל לשלום הפצועים בפיגוע המשולב הבוקר בירושלים ומחזק את ידי כוחות הביטחון שפועלים בשטח.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Hamas praised the attack, saying in a statement that the “Zionist enemy” was “paying the price today for its crimes and aggression against our [Palestinian] people.”
The attack on Wednesday is the second deadly terrorist incident in as many weeks. Last Tuesday, three Israelis were killed and three others wounded when a Palestinian went on a stabbing and car-ramming rampage in and around the city of Ariel in Samaria.
This is a developing story.
