The two explosive charges left in bags were activated remotely by telephone
Jerusalem was hit by two bomb attacks on Wednesday morning. The first explosion took place at a bus stop at the Givat Shaul junction, near the western entrance to the city and the other at the Ramot junction, in northern Jerusalem, killing one and injuring 18, including four in critical condition.
An explosion took place near a bus stop on Shaarei Yerushalaim Street at the entrance to Jerusalem, shortly following 7 a.m. local time when buses are very busy. Magen David Adom medics and paramedics provided first aid at the scene to 12 injured people, two in critical condition, two in serious condition and the rest in varying degrees. The injured were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem and Shaare Tzedek hospitals. One of the injured, Aryeh Shechopek, 16, from Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood, died of his injuries at Shaare Tsedek Medical Center. He was on his way to his yeshiva in Beit Yair when the first bomb went off.
“These bombings remind Israelis of the dark hours of the second Intifada”
Numerous police forces attended the scene. The circumstances of the explosion are under investigation but it seems that agricultural equipment was used as a primary explosive in view of the significant smoke released. “Terrorist attacks are most often perpetrated with firearms or bladed weapons. These bombings remind Israelis of the dark hours of the second Intifada between 2000 and 2005,” said Daniel Haïk, i24NEWS journalist, from the scene of the attack.
The second explosion occurred regarding 25 minutes later, at the Ramot crossroads. Three people were lightly injured by shrapnel and were treated at the scene. The circumstances of the first detonation are under investigation. Sources on the cause of the second explosion are conflicting, with some citing an explosive attached to a motorbike, others a bag full of explosives left at the bus stop, police said.
The two explosive charges left in bags were activated remotely by telephone
The two explosive charges left in bags were activated remotely by telephone and are very similar. The two bombs each contained a large number of nails to cause maximum casualties. Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai attended the scene and said there may be two terrorists involved. Three Palestinians suspected of being involved in the attacks have been arrested.
“The Zionist occupation is today paying the price for its crimes and aggressions once morest our people and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Our people will not remain silent in the face of this, and Al-Aqsa’s outrage will explode and spread. spread to all regions,” Hamas spokesman Abd Latif al-Kanou said. Islamic Jihad also welcomed these attacks.
Following an assessment of the security situation conducted this Wednesday morning by Defense Minister Benny Gantz, it was decided to close the Gilboa (Jelma) and Salem crossings in the Jenin region.
