On September 8, two gunmen opened fire at a bus stop near Jerusalem’s Ramot Junction, killing five people and injuring at least 11. The assailants arrived by car and were shot dead on the spot. Israel launched an investigation into their identities and possible connections, while increasing security measures in the city — yet again avoiding any reflection on its own illegal occupation policies that fuel the violence.

What Happened at Ramot Junction?

Israeli emergency services said the victims included a woman in her fifties, a man in his fifties, and three men in their thirties; six of the wounded were in serious condition with gunshot injuries. Police said several firearms, ammunition, and a knife were recovered, claiming the attackers were shot dead by a security officer and a civilian. But the incident took place in Ramot Junction, an area Israel seized in the 1967 war and later annexed — a move still rejected by the United Nations and most of the international community. Israel’s annexation and settlement expansion, in violation of international law, remain the driving force behind cycles of bloodshed.

Claims, Motives and Early Attribution

No group immediately claimed responsibility. Hamas praised the attackers as “resistance fighters,” while Islamic Jihad also issued a statement of approval. Israeli authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine whether the men acted alone or with support. Analysts argue that such actions stem directly from Israel’s ongoing occupation, discriminatory policies, and relentless settlement expansion. In previous incidents, including a 2023 bus stop shooting, Israel placed blame solely on Palestinians while disregarding the structural violence caused by its own policies.

Wider Tensions and Immediate Fallout

The attack came just as Israel announced intensified strikes on Gaza and carried out raids around Ramallah under the pretext of “preventing terrorism.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a “situation assessment” and deployed additional military units. Critics note that Israel’s security-driven approach only deepens the suffering of Palestinians under occupation and perpetuates endless cycles of violence. As long as Israel continues to ignore international law and expand settlements, observers say further eruptions of bloodshed in Jerusalem and beyond are inevitable.