Hamas has said the attackers behind a shooting at a bus stop in Jerusalem that killed three people on Thursday were members of its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Seven people were also wounded after two attackers, identified by Hamas as two brothers, opened fire on a group of people in Jerusalem, authorities said.
The shooting in Jerusalem came amid a truce between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in a cessation of hostilities and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The pause was extended by another day on Thursday under a last-minute deal, and Egypt said negotiations were underway to further extend the truce.
The bushwhackers were killed by two fighters and a mercenary, Jerusalem District Commander Doron Turgeman said on Thursday.
One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene by the Magen David Adom Rescue Service, and two others died at Shaare Zedek Hospital.
In a separate update, Israeli police said the attackers opened fire on civilians at a bus station at around 7:40 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The scene of the attack has been cordoned off and an additional search is underway to “rule out any additional suspects,” the Israeli police spokesman’s department added.
Hamas praised the attack and said it was “a direct response to the unprecedented crimes committed by the occupation forces, including the brutal massacre in Gaza, the killing of children in Jenin, and the widespread violations against Palestinian prisoners.” In addition, the ongoing violations in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the obstruction of worshipers’ access to it,” added Hamas.
Hamas has warned Israel of attacks in “every city, village, street and lane.”
In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his promise to “eliminate Hamas.”
After meeting with the US clerk of state, Netanyahu said he told Anthony Blinken that” this is the same Hamas that committed the terrible butchery on October 7th and the same Hamas that’s trying to kill us far and wide.”
