Palestinian terrorists open fire on civilians at Israeli bus stop, killing 3 and injuring 16 after extension of 'ceasefire'

A pair of Palestinian terrorists from East Jerusalem pulled up to a bus stop during rush hour Thursday morning and opened fire on a crowd of civilians. The two murdered three and injured 16 before being put down by a pair of off-duty soldiers and a nearby armed civilian.

The shooting came within hours of confirmation from the IDF and Qatari officials that the ceasefire urged by Western leftists between Hamas and Israel had been extended.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on X, "The quick reaction of two fighters and a civilian who eliminated the terrorists prevented an even more serious attack. I salute them."

Netanyahu indicated the Israeli government would "continued expanding the distribution of weapons to citizens," a measure he suggested "proves itself time and time again in the war against murderous terrorism."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who stressed after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks that Israel would work to ease gun laws in hopes of arming "as many citizens as possible," said, "This event proves again how we must not show weakness, that we must speak to Hamas only through the (rifle) scopes, only through the war."

According to police, the terrorists, brothers in their 30s from the Zur Baher neighborhood in East Jerusalem, pulled up to the bus stop Thursday "armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun," reported Reuters.

Three among the injured are reportedly in serious condition, and the other victims suffered "various degrees of injuries," said police.

Surveillance footage of the attack shows the terrorists pull up to the bus stop in an off-white car and rush out of the vehicle with guns raised. They immediately begin firing into a dense crowd. The Israeli civilians begin running for their lives as the terrorists give chase.

After apparently exhausting their munitions, the terrorists attempt to return to their vehicle — but it's clear from their efforts to duck and weave that the cavalry has arrived.

An individual bolts across the street with his gun drawn, ostensibly riddling the would-be getaway driver with bullets. Meanwhile, off-duty soldiers emerge from the bus stop, dispatching the second terrorist.

It appears the hero who crossed the street to intervene was nearly mistaken for one of the gunmen, but he manages to quickly identify himself.

Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war Cabinet, wrote on X, "This attack is further proof of our commitment to continue the fight with strength and determination against the murderous terrorism that threatens our citizens. In Jerusalem, Gaza, Yosh and everywhere."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was visiting Israel Thursday, said the shooting was a reminder "of the threat from terrorism that Israel and Israelis face every single day."

The Israeli military indicated that one of its checkpoints in the Jordan Valley area was attacked Thursday morning. The terrorist reportedly rammed IDF soldiers with a vehicle but was "shot and neutralized" before being able to inflict lethal damage, reported the BBC.

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