Terror in Jerusalem: One child, man in his 20s killed, several wounded in car ramming
Driver plowed into people waiting at bus stop; many of the wounded and dead are members of the same family
A Palestinian driver plowed into a crowd waiting at a Jerusalem bus stop, killing a 6-year-old child and a 20 year old, and injuring several more people – including another child in critical condition – in a terror attack on Friday afternoon.
Some of the wounded and dead are members of the same family, according to initial reports.
The terrorist, a 31-year-old resident of East Jerusalem, was shot dead at the scene. Hussein Qaraqe was a father of three from the Arab neighborhood of Issawiya and held Israeli citizenship, according to Haaretz daily news. According to reports, Qaraqe drove at a high speed, sending pedestrians flying from the bus stop until he crashed into a light pole.
The injured include another child in critical condition, two more hospitalized in serious condition and another two people in moderate condition.
Shortly after the attack, Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arrived at the scene. Ben Gvir, who ran a campaign promising to crack down on terrorism, including implementing the death penalty, was greeted by witnesses at the scene with chants of "Death to terrorists."
The attack took place in Ramot, a largely religious Jewish neighborhood, just before 2 p.m. as Israelis were preparing for Shabbat.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for reinforcement of security forces in the area and "decided to take immediate action to seal and demolish the home of the terrorist," according to a statement from his office.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered condolences.
"Just before Shabbat, our hearts are pained by the terrible news of a despicable terrorist who took the lives of a little boy and a young man in a car-ramming attack in Jerusalem," he said. "Together with the people of Israel, I grieve with the families and pray for the recovery of the injured."
The last deadly attack occurred two weeks ago on Jan. 27 when a Palestinian gunned down seven people outside a Jerusalem synagogue after Friday night prayers. That was the deadliest terror attack in Israel in years and was quickly followed by another one the next day, when a 13-year-old boy shot and wounded two people outside Jerusalem's Old City.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Nicole Jansezian is a journalist, travel documentarian and cultural entrepreneur based in Jerusalem. She serves as the Communications Director at CBN Israel and is the former news editor and senior correspondent for ALL ISRAEL NEWS. On her YouTube channel she highlights fascinating tidbits from the Holy Land and gives a platform to the people behind the stories.
