Terrorist attack on a bus Photo: AP
On Wednesday evening, a 12-year-old boy, Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha, was killed in a terrorist attack on a civilian bus travelling from the Gush Etzion area to Jerusalem. The terrorist opened fire on the bus from a passing car, hitting it 23 times. The boy was taken in critical condition to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, where he later died.
“Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, doctors were forced to pronounce him dead. Our hearts go out to the family at this difficult time,” the hospital said. The boy’s family was returning to Jerusalem from a family event in the city of Beitar Illin when the tragedy occurred.
Victims and medical care
A woman in her 40s sustained gunshot wounds to her extremities and was hospitalised in Shaarei Tzedek Medical Centre in moderate condition. Two other passengers, aged 24 and 55, sustained minor injuries from glass shards and were treated on the spot.
The ambulance was arriving at a military checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem, where the bus took the wounded. According to Magen David Adom medics, “We arrived quickly and saw the bus with passengers on board. A 12-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to the upper body was in critical condition. We provided him with emergency aid and transported him to hospital in an attempt to save his life.”
Authorities’ reaction and search for the attacker
The terrorist fled the scene of the crime, and security forces immediately launched a large-scale search, blocking roads and surrounding the towns of Husan and Bethlehem. According to the Israeli military, the attacker may have acted with accomplices.
High-ranking officials arrived at the scene of the tragedy, including Major General Avi Blot, Judea and Samaria District Police Chief Moshe Pinto, and Beitar Illin Mayor Meir Rubinstein. Security officials confirmed that the terrorist had tried to turn to the Palestinian security forces, which refused to grant him asylum but confiscated his weapons.
Political reactions and calls to action
The Judea and Samaria Council of Settlements called for a strong response to the attack. “This horrific attack is not inevitable. It is time to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, bring troops into the cities and neutralise the threats. The enemy in Bethlehem is no different from the enemy in Gaza. The response must be the same,” the statement said.
The attack was the latest in a series of terrorist attacks in the region. Last week, a terrorist opened fire on a bus near Ariel, seriously wounding the driver, who was eventually stabilised.
Israeli forces continue to search for the attacker, mobilising all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.
