Gunman kills 7, injures 10 outide synagogue

Yesterday, a deadly attack occurred in Jerusalem that killed seven Jewish worshippers and wounded three Israelis outside of a synagogue on the Sabbath-eve. It was the most lethal attack against Israelis in over ten years. Among the victims was a 70-year-old woman, as well as several others in their 60s, and a 15-year-old boy.

In response, Palestinians celebrated the bloodshed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by shooting off bullets, shouting “God is great!” and distributing sweets. This attack was seemingly in retaliation for an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, which killed nine people, including seven Palestinian militants and a 61-year-old woman.

Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment and decided on “immediate actions” for his Security Cabinet to discuss. He declined to elaborate but urged the public not to seek vigilante justice.

The shooter, a 21-year-old resident of east Jerusalem who appeared to be acting alone, was killed after police chased him down. In response, Jerusalem Police Chief Doron Turjeman promised an “aggressive and significant” investigation to find any accomplices.

The victims of the attack were five men and two women, several of whom were in their 60s, according to Israeli MADA rescue services. The Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem reported that a 15-year-old boy was recovering from surgery after he was injured.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to visit the region on Sunday when the attack occurred, and a White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement strongly condemning the shootings and offering full support to the government and people of Israel. The killings occurred on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.