Jerusalem Checkpoint
In a tragic incident, an Israeli man lost his life, and 11 others were wounded in a terrorist shooting attack near a checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement city of Ma’ale Adumim.
Three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israelis waiting in traffic on Route 1, leading to casualties, with one victim identified as 26-year-old Matan Elmaliah. Emergency services treated 12 people, including a pregnant woman in serious condition undergoing significant surgery.
Two of the attackers were shot dead by security forces and armed civilians at the scene, while the third initially fled but was later “neutralized” following police searches. The terrorists were armed with assault rifles, makeshift submachine guns, and a grenade.
The Shin Bet security agency identified the assailants as Muhammad Zawahra, 26, and his brother Kathem Zawahra, 31, both residents of Ta’amra, and Ahmed Al-Wahsh, 31, a resident of Za’atara. Notably, Kathem Zawahra had a prior record of illegal entry into Israel.
Eyewitnesses described the attackers firing into cars along the congested road, prompting people to abandon vehicles and seek refuge. The incident unfolded over a 1.5-kilometer stretch, with emergency teams treating victims in five cars.
Criticism arose regarding the long lines at West Bank checkpoints being labeled as potential death traps. Local officials had previously raised concerns about the security risks on the congested road.
The attack occurred amid heightened tensions, including Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Hamas issued a statement praising the attack, considering it a “natural response” to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region.
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