Posted on 01/27/23
| News Source: Arutz-7
Updated at 3:40PM -
At least seven people were killed and several others were injured, including one critically, in a shooting attack on the Ateret Avraham Synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday evening.
Magen David Adom paramedics evacuated five injured people to hospitals, including three who were evacuated to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, and two who were evacuated to Shaare Zedek Hospital. These include a man about 30 years old in critical condition and a woman about 60 years of age in moderate condition.
Initial reports indicate that a terrorist got out of a vehicle and opened fire at people who were gathered outside the synagogue, opened fire at them, and then continued to pursue frightened worshipers who were fleeing the scene.
The terrorist eventually fled the scene in a white Toyota and was met by police officers who shot him dead.
The terrorist has been identified as Fadi Ayash, an Arab Israeli resident of the Shuafat neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem, who was identified with the Hamas terrorist organization.
The Israel Police said, “Terror attack in a synagogue in Jerusalem: This evening at around 8:30pm local time, a terrorist arrived at a synagogue in the Neve Ya'akov boulevard in Jerusalem and proceeded to shoot at a number of people in the area.”
“Police forces quickly arrived at the scene, engaged with the terrorist and opened fire at him. The terrorist was neutralized. Seven innocent people were slaughtered and more were injured as result of the terror attack.”
Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said, "This is a serious and complex attack with a large number of victims. We are currently conducting searches in the area to rule out the possibility that there are more people involved who are walking around freely. The terrorist was neutralized by a police officer and a volunteer of the Israel Police, which prevented a bigger attack."
Superintendent Doron Turgeman, commander of the Jerusalem district of the Israel Police, provided an update at the scene.
"The terrorist arrived at Neve Yaakov Boulevard, opened fire, hit several people, continued in his car and drove in the general direction of Beit Hanina. The police officers at the scene received a report and began to strive for contact. They recognized the vehicle which began to fire at them, they began pursuing him. The terrorist began to flee on foot, the police chased after him and succeeded in neutralizing him."
In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security assessment this evening.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also arrived at the scene and was briefed by police on the situation.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was on a trip abroad, has cut short his trip and will return to Israel.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented on the attack and said, “A difficult and painful Erev Shabbat. The heart breaks when seeing the difficult sights. Terror in a synagogue, a criminal terrorist, a cold-blooded killer. I send my condolences to the families who lost their dearest and wish recovery to the injured. The security forces neutralized the terrorist and will lay hands on anyone who helped him.”
“Terrorism must not be allowed to rear its head, the terrorists and their senders must be dealt with harshly,” he added.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman said, “A shocking massacre tonight in Jerusalem. I send condolences to the families of the murdered, strengthen the security forces operating in the field and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. The government must exact a heavy price from the perpetrators of the attack and their senders.”
Labor chairwoman MK Merav Michaeli commented, “A difficult and cruel evening with the terrible attack in Jerusalem. The serious terrorism rears its head and murderously crushes Israeli families. My heart goes out to the victims and the families of the murdered.”
“This terrorism must be fought hard and without compromise,” she added.
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Updated at 2:23 EST - At least eight people were killed and several others were injured in a shooting attack on a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday evening.
Magen David Adom medics and paramedics evacuated three injured people to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, including a 70-year-old woman in critical condition, a 20-year-old man in serious condition and a 14-year-old boy in moderate to serious condition.
Initial reports indicate that a terrorist got out of a vehicle and opened fire at people who were gathered outside the synagogue. Another suspect who drove him fled the scene. Police are in pursuit of the vehicle - a white Toyota.
The Israel Police said, “Preliminary report - terror attack in a synagogue in Jerusalem: A short time ago there was a report of a shooting in the Neve Ya'akov neighborhood in Jerusalem. As a result of the shooting, there are several wounded at the scene. The terrorist was neutralized.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented on the attack and said, “A difficult and painful Erev Shabbat. The heart breaks when seeing the difficult sights. Terror in a synagogue, a criminal terrorist, a cold-blooded killer. I send my condolences to the families who lost their dearest and wish recovery to the injured. The security forces neutralized the terrorist and will lay hands on anyone who helped him.”
“Terrorism must not be allowed to rear its head, the terrorists and their senders must be dealt with harshly,” he added.
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At least five people were killed and multiple others were injured in a shooting attack on a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday evening.
Magen David Adom medics and paramedics provided medical treatment at the scene to the victims and evacuated them to hospitals.
The Israel Police said, “Suspected attack in Jerusalem - a short time ago a report was received of a shooting in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in Jerusalem. As a result of the shooting, there are several wounded at the scene. The suspected shooter was neutralized.”
This is a developing story.