JERUSALEM – A shooting attack near a junction in southern Israel on Friday left two people dead and four wounded. Israeli police reported that a suspected shooter was killed by an armed civilian at the scene.
The incident comes amid increasing tension in the region, with Israel continuing to bombard the Gaza Strip in response to an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “This attack reminds us that the entire country is a front and that the murderers, who come not only from Gaza, want to kill us all.” He vowed to continue fighting until total victory.
Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter, as the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. The attack took place at a bus station near a junction in southern Israel, where an armed civilian shot the suspect. Police forces are conducting a search of the area to rule out the possibility of additional perpetrators.
Two casualties were declared dead at the scene, while four others with moderate to serious wounds were transferred to hospitals for treatment. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the incident “proves again that weapons save lives” and promised to increase the distribution of firearms to civilians in response to the recent Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Israel’s Gaza offensive has resulted in the deaths of more than 28,700 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities. The conflict has also laid waste to much of the strip and displaced most of its 2.3 million population. Israel’s stated goal is to destroy Hamas following the group’s attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the aftermath of this shooting attack raises concerns about the ongoing violence and the impact it has on civilians. Authorities are working to maintain the safety and security of the area while navigating the complexities of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.