Four IDF soldiers were killed and 13 wounded after an industrial truck driven by a terrorist, rammed into a group of people adjacent to the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon.
Among the fatalities were three female soldiers and one male in their 20s. The terrorist was shot dead by security personnel at the scene.
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The truck’s windshield was riddled with bullet holes, as dozens of first-responders and police secured the scene and completely closed off traffic on the main thoroughfare next to the popular promenade.
According to Yossi Fraenkel, Deputy Commander of ZAKA in Jerusalem, 10 of the wounded are in light condition, four are in either serious or moderate condition, and one is in critical condition. All victims were evacuated to different area hospitals.
Multiple reports stated that several of the victims were trapped underneath the truck, as police and first-responders worked feverishly to extricate them.
“A terrorist drove a truck into a group of people who had just got off a bus,” said Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld a few meters from the scene of the attack.
“The wounded have been rushed to area hospitals and the terrorist was killed. Police have heightened security throughout the capital and closed off all the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the scene.”
Speaking to the press minutes after the attack, Police Commissioner, Insp.- Gen. Roni Alsheich, identified the attacker as a resident of east Jerusalem, with an Israeli driver’s license, driving a large truck with an Israeli license plate.
Credit: Marc Israel SellemAlsheich said that there was no prior warning to the attack, but that police are preparing to react quickly to threats, and to thwart attacks as often as possible.
Magen David Adom paramedic Landy Sharon who arrived at the scene said that he saw a truck that hit a group of young people that got off a bus near the Armon Hanatziv observation post.
“About 10 people were lying on the ground near the street,” he said. “Some of them were trapped under the truck.”
According to police, the motorist increased speed and rammed the truck into a group of people while they were descending from a bus.
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat spoke to the press and the Israeli public minutes after the attack.
“To our dismay, there is no limit to the cruelty of the terrorists who are willing to use any means possible to murder Jews and to damage the life routine of Israel's capital,” said Barkat.
The mayor went on to send a unifying message to Israelis: “Those who incite and fan the flames and those who support terror must pay a heavy price,” he said. “I call the residents of Jerusalem and the country at large to be alert and despite this hard terror attack to carry on in your daily routines, and do not let terror win.”
Truck used in vehicular ramming attack in Jerusalem (Credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Scene of ramming attack in Jerusalem (Credit: Magen David Adom)
Scene of truck ramming attack in Jerusalem (Credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Soldiers crying at the scene of a vehicular attack in Jerusalem (Credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
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