Hamas Praises Yerushalayim Shooting

YERUSHALAYIM
Israeli police secure the area following a shooting incident in what an Israeli police spokesperson described as a terrorist attack, near police headquarters in Jerusalem October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Israeli police secure the area following a shooting incident near police headquarters in Yerushalayim, Sunday. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)

The Hamas terror group, while not taking direct responsibility for the terror shooting attack Sunday morning in Yerushalayim in which two Israelis were killed, Hy”d, called it “a brave action by resistance forces and a natural response to the crimes of the occupation.”

Four others suffered various degrees of injury in the wake of the shooting attack. The attack took place near the French Hill Junction, close to National Police Headquarters. An Arab driver sped through an intersection coming off the highway and headed for an adjacent light rail station, opening fire randomly and hitting eight people.

The terrorist continued driving towards the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, and at one point halted his vehicle. He was met by Special Yassam Police forces, and he opened fire on them, injuring one critically and a second lightly. Police opened fire on him, eliminating him.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke at the cabinet meeting Sunday and praised security forces who acted quickly in the morning’s terror attack.

“We experienced a shooting by a terrorist who was sitting in his vehicle,” Netanyahu stated at the beginning of the weekly meeting. “The terrorist injured several people. We are still investigating the details and security forces are working at the scene of the attack.”

Netanyahu sent his wishes for a speedy recovery to the families of the victims. He stated that, “according to reports, the work done by Israeli police at the scene was swift and well done. They tracked down the terrorist and neutralized him.”

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that the terrorist, being a resident of Yerushalayim, held an Israeli identity card. Erdan told reporters after the incident that there had not been a specific terror warning issued for Yerushalayim prior to the shooting, though Israeli police had already increased their presence across the city in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and the upcoming Yom Kippur.

Speaking to Israel Radio shortly after the attack, Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel said that “we once again meet terror in Yerushalayim, with terrorists who do not seek excuses to attack Jews. Part of the response to this must be to increase building in Yerushalayim, Yehudah and Shomron, and to remove from our enemies the thoughts they have about being able to remove us from Yerushalayim.”

Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said that “we have become used to the evil and cruelty of terrorists who randomly shoot innocent people. As required, we have put an end to this terrorist’s activities in this world, and we shall continue to pursue them in the future as we have in the past.”

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