Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI / Getty Images
By: Real America News Updated 14 Aug 2022, 19: 54 pm EDT
Eight people, including at least five Americans, were injured when a gunman opened fire on a bus in Jerusalem , said the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Among those injured in the attack was a pregnant woman, who was forced to give birth in an emergency room, authorities in Israel said.
“A terrorist fired on a bus in Jerusalem injuring eight people, including a pregnant woman from 22 years old and a man of 60 years in critical care
,” the ministry said on Twitter. “We pray for his full recovery. This attack on the capital of Israel, a holy city for the three religions, must be condemned”.
At least five US citizens were injured in the attack
, a spokesman for the US embassy confirmed to ABC News.
The attack occurred early Sunday morning near the Western Wall in the Old City from Jerusalem, authorities said. The shooting occurred when the bus was waiting for passengers in a parking lot near the Western Wall, one of the holiest places in Judaism where Jews from all over the world go on pilgrimage to pray.
The bus driver, Daniel Kanyevski, told local media that he was parked near King David’s Tomb waiting for worshipers to return from praying at the Western Wall when gunfire erupted.
“We opened the ramp for someone in a wheelchair and then the shooting started,” Kanyevski told reporters. “Everyone fell to the ground, screaming. I tried to escape, but the bus could not drive with the ramp open.”
Israeli police launched a search for the suspected shooter, who later surrendered. According to international agencies, the man was identified as Amir Sidawi, a Palestinian from 19 years living in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a statement condemning the attack: “Jerusalem is our capital city and a tourist hub for all religions,” Lapid said in his statement, adding that the Israeli security forces would “restore calm”.
The US State Department also issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the attack.
“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Jerusalem that injured at least eight victims , including at least five US citizens. We wish all victims a speedy recovery. We remain in close contact with our Israeli partners and stand firm with them in the face of this attack,” the US State Department said.
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