Image
© Fire DepartmentScene where terrorist vehicle smashed into Israeli vehicle in Gush Etzion.
Three people were killed late Thursday afternoon when a Palestinian terrorist shot at cars stuck in a traffic jam near the Gush Etzion junction in the West Bank.

Initial reports suggest that the terrorist fired at the cars and then sped in the direction of the Alon Shvut settlement and slammed into a car.

The terrorist exited the vehicle and attempted to fire off further shots. Security forces shot at the terrorist and then arrested him.

MDA paramedics pronounced an approximately 18-year old man dead on the scene after efforts to resuscitate him failed. The youth was an American tourist. An approximately 50-year old man was critically wounded and taken to Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem where he was pronounced dead.

The third victim was a Palestinian passenger who was sitting in one of the vehicle's that the terrorist shot at.

In addition, four others were lightly wounded and were evacuated to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, which is also located in the capital.
Image
Minibus which was targeted in Gush Etzion shooting attack.
The Gush Etzion area has been the scene of numerous terror attacks over the past two months.

The incident followed shortly after a fatal terrorist attack that occurred in Tel Aviv earlier in the day.

A Palestinian terrorist stabbed three people in south Tel Aviv on Thursday, killing two of them and wounding another.

In that attack, police said that the terrorist attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by civilians who subdued him until police forces arrived on the scene. The suspect was arrested and taken in for questioning.

The Shin Bet stated that the attacker was a 36-year-old Palestinian from the village of Dura near Hebron. He did not have a previous security record. According to initial reports, the suspect had a permit to work in Israel and was employed at a nearby restaurant.