‘Terrorist’ sprays bullets at packed bus leaving at least seven wounded including two critical in Jerusalem
A GUNMAN opened fire at a bus carrying Jewish worshippers in Jerusalem – injuring at least seven people.
Two victims are in a critical condition following the horror attack in the Old City, including a pregnant woman with abdominal injuries.
It is understood she has undergone an emergency delivery – with the newborn in a serious but stable condition as their mum fights for her life.
One man is being treated for gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
The bus was waiting in a parking lot near the Western Wall – the holiest site where Jews can pray – when it was hit by a hail of bullets.
Police say the suspected terrorist then fled the scene – leaving the bus riddled with bullet holes.
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Bus driver Daniel Kanievsky told how “everybody panicked” as gunfire rang out.
He said: “I stopped at the station of the Tomb of David. At this moment, the shooting started.
“Two people outside I saw falling, two inside were bleeding. Everybody panicked.”
According to the US Embassy in Jerusalem, there were American citizens among those hurt.
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The shooter later turned himself into Israeli authorities, according to cops.
Local media reported the suspect was a Palestinian from east Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said: “Let all those who wish us evil know that they will pay a price for any harming of civilians.
“Jerusalem is our capital and a center of tourism for all religions. Police forces and the IDF are working to restore calm and the feeling of security to the city.”
Palestinian militant factions in Gaza praised the attack, however did not claim responsibility for it.
Terror group Hamas said the attack was “a natural response to the occupation’s daily crimes against our people, our country and major Muslim and Christian sites.”
The suspected Palestinian attack comes just a week after violence flared between Israel and militants in Gaza.
It comes a week after the worst outbreak of hostilities in more than a year, when Israeli jets pounded the narrow coastal strip in what the military said was a pre-emptive attack aimed at preventing an imminent threat to Israel.
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At least 49 people were killed in Gaza and hundreds more wounded during 56 hours of fighting which also saw more than 1,000 rockets launched towards Israel by the militant Islamic Jihad faction.
Tensions have continued since, with three gunmen killed in a shootout with Israeli security forces in the West Bank city of Nablus last week.