US Edition
A woman and two elderly people have died while six others have been injured in a shooting attack during rush hour in Jerusalem.
Israeli police said that two terrorists arrived at the scene in a vehicle armed with weapons and fired at civilians at a bus stop.
“They were neutralised by security forces and a civilian who were nearby,” they added.
A large number of ambulances and police converged at the scene on Thursday morning and police said they were searching the area to make sure there were no other attackers.
A 73-year-old man died of his wounds at the Shaare Zedek Hospital, according to the Israeli ambulance service. A 24-year-old died at the scene of the incident.
The US ambassador to Israel condemned the shooting.
“Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. We unequivocally condemn such brutal violence,” Ambassador Jack Lew said.
Tensions have risen in the West Bank following the October 7 attacks and bombardment of Gaza.
More than 240 Palestinians have been killed and at least 3,000 others injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
An eight-year-old boy and a teenager were the latest deaths in the occupied territory, with Israel saying it “responded with live fire... and hits were identified” after suspects hurled explosive devices towards troops.
Reports did not specify if it was referring to the boys, who are not seen throwing anything.
Separately, the military said its troops killed two Islamic Jihad militants during the raid.
Palestinian prisoners released as part of the truce with Israel have been arriving in the West Bank in recent days.
Ahed Tamimi, a 22-year-old activist, was the most prominent among them.
She gained worldwide fame in 2017 after a video of her slapping an Israeli soldier went viral on social media and was arrested on November 6 for “incitement to terrorism” on her Instagram account.
Her mother said Tamimi’s account had been hacked.
So far, the majority of the Palestinians released have been teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces.