It has been quite some time since I focused on a terror attack in a posting: all eyes have been on the war in Gaza. But today, with great anger and immense sadness, I revert to what had been my practice before the war.
Our hearts cry, “Enough already!” And our spines are stiffened.
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The scene at 10:00 this morning was a junction in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem (a neighborhood that has known several serious attacks). Two terrorists entered a #62 bus. According to some reports, they were dressed as inspectors. They carried Carlo submachine guns believed to have been manufactured in an illegal workshop in Judea & Samaria (these guns are the weapon of choice for terrorists).
They began shooting at the heads of passengers and at persons in the street nearby. Pandemonium followed as the passengers fled the bus and those witnessing the scene nearby ran as well.
There is a link to an article immediately below that relates the bravery of a taxi driver who tended to his elderly passenger during the attack – and it is well worth seeing for this alone.
But if you scroll down to the video, starting at about 25 seconds, you will have a very strong sense of the panic that ensued as people fled the attackers.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/jerusalem-taxi-driver-heroic-rescue
In the early minutes before the arrival of medics, some passengers, rather than fleeing, stopped to help those who had been wounded and were lying in the street. They used belts as tourniquets to staunch bleeding and save lives.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414576
Here you see video from the helmet camera of Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedic. It gives a strong sense of what was going on in those early moments when medical assistance arrived.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414585
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The very first reports to be released spoke about a number injured, several critically. Then reports began to come through about those who had succumbed to their injuries – and we could hardly have expected otherwise. At present most reports indicate that six have died (there are reports that say seven):
Yaakov Pinto, 25, an immigrant from Spain, had recently married; he studied at the Derech Emunah Yeshiva in Lod.
Levi Yitzchak Pash, a staff member at the Kol Torah Yeshiva. Neighbors described him as “helping everyone in the neighborhood and performing acts of kindness.” On this fateful day, he was standing at the bus stop in Ramot with another staff member from the yeshiva where he worked when a man driving a car stopped and offered to take them to the yeshiva. Both entered the car.
Unexpectedly, someone appeared seeking a ride as he needed urgent medical care. Levi Yitzhak, who was already sitting in the car, got out to give this man his seat. “Five minutes later, the horrific attack occurred, and he was murdered.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414583
Yisrael Metzner, 28, a resident of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yosef David, 43, who lived in Ramot. He was killed while standing at the bus stop; he was on his way to study at a yeshiva and had his books in hand.
Rabbi Mordechai Steinzag was a certified cardiologist who made aliyah decades ago and turned to becoming a baker. After observing a lack of awareness about healthy living in Israel at the time, he opened a small bakery that sold bread made from healthy flour. Ultimately, “Dr. Mark’s Bakery” became a chain, with several branches and headquarters in Beit Shemesh.
Sarah (Sarita) Mendelson, 60, a resident of Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.
Top L-R: Levi Yitzhak Pash, Yisrael Matzner, 28; Rabbi Yosef David, 43;
Bottom L-R: Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, 79; Yaakov Pinto, 25; Sarah Mendelson, 60 (Courtesy)
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Apparently 12 have been taken to the hospital — one critically wounded, four seriously, two in moderate condition and five lightly injured or suffering shock. I do not have information on all those injured, but have this:
Among the injured is a young woman who is eight months pregnant with her first child. Prayers are asked for her complete recovery: Tova Gittel bat Miriam Shoshana. (“bat” means “daughter of”).
Rabbi Yaakov Sharabani, one of the leaders of the “Maor Torah” yeshiva and son-in-law of the yeshiva’s dean, was lightly injured. Prayers are requested for him: Yaakov Haim ben Tamar Ibon.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414569
Osnat Guetta is the mother of six, three still young. She was shot in the abdomen and is expected to recover following surgery.
Esther Lugasi was lightly injured; she was about to board the bus when the shooting began, and she ran. “If I die, I die” she told herself.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjp9an2cee
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The terrorists were taken out by a Haredi student who had a permit to carry a gun and an off-duty commander from the Haredi Hashmonaim Brigade. According to his brother-in-law, the student (who has not been named) was able to receive a permit to carry his gun because of the reform instituted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir last year making it possible for more civilians to carry guns. In many instances it has been civilians that have taken down terrorists. Ben Gvir considers responsible civilians to be partners with security officials in the war against terrorism.
The brother-in-law also indicated that according to eyewitnesses, the bus driver was complicit in the attack. Further corroboration is necessary, but this certainly is not impossible and has very serious implications. (A verbal report has come to me indicating that the driver ran away – which may be what the brother-in-law was referring to.)
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414569
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The Haredi commander who acted to take out the terrorist later said: “I heard gunshots, I saw people fleeing, and I understood that I had to engage…I was happy I was able to do it.”
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As we would expect, both Netanyahu and Ben Gvir were on the scene of the attack.
“We are at war, an intense war against terrorism on several fronts,” said the prime minister. “I would like to state as clearly as possible: These murders and attacks, in all sectors, will not weaken us. They will only increase our determination to complete the mission we have taken upon ourselves, in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and everywhere.
“…We are not relenting, nor will we. We will intensify our operations, and we will achieve all of our objectives.”
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/event-ramot080925
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The Police and Shin Bet, in a joint statement, identified the terrorists as from the Ramallah area, which is not far from Jerusalem.
Forces from the IDF, working in cooperation with the police, are combing the area for further evidence and accomplices.
The IDF has surrounded four villages near Jerusalem: Qatanna, Biddu, Beit ‘Anan, and Bayt Duqu, and has a strengthened presence around Ramallah. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zami has ordered a full closure of the area.
Police have arrested a suspect from eastern Jerusalem, whose involvement is under investigation; the father of one of the terrorists may have been detained as well.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414564
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Hamas has not taken direct credit for this terror attack, but there is solid reason to believe that they were responsible. This was clearly an attack that was well orchestrated – it was not a “lone wolf” attack.
The terror group declared the attack an “heroic operation.”
“We affirm that this operation is a natural response to the occupation’s crimes and war of extermination it is waging against our people.”
In a statement it put out it called on Palestinian Arabs in Judea & Samaria to “escalate the confrontation with the occupation and its settlers.”
It is not unreasonable to surmise that this attack and its accompanying threats are intended to intimidate Israel as the push into Gaza City increases.
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But there is more: President Trump has now put out a proposal for a deal between Israel and Hamas. Were it not for the horrendous attack, this posting would have focused on that. I cannot help but wonder about the timing of the attack, and the likelihood that it was intended to intimidate Israel with regard to the particulars of an agreement.
Everything is tentative, and sources vary on reported details. I will only say here that there is a great deal about it that makes me very uncomfortable. I expect I will focus on this the next time I post.
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Please, pray with full hearts, my friends, for the strength and wisdom of our leaders, the safety of our fighting troops, and the rescue of our hostages.
©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
