Israel: 8 Injured, Including 2 In Critical Condition, In Shooting Near Western Wall At Jerusalem

The shooting occurred when the bus was parked near the Western Wall, which is considered the holiest spot for Jews to pray.

Representational Image.

Source : Getty Images

A shooter opened fire on a bus outside Jerusalem's Old City early Sunday, injuring eight Israelis in a suspected Palestinian attack that occurred a week after Israel and terrorists in Gaza clashed, police and doctors said, news agency Associated Press reported.

According to Israeli hospitals, two of the victims were in critical condition. The shooting occurred when the bus was parked near the Western Wall, which is considered the holiest spot for Jews to pray.

According to the Israeli police, personnel have been rushed to the location to begin investigations. In addition, Israeli security officers moved into the adjoining Palestinian community of Silwan in pursuit of the accused assailant.

The Jerusalem incident came after a difficult week between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Last weekend, Israeli planes launched an attack in Gaza against the terrorist organisation Islamic Jihad, sparking three days of deadly cross-border warfare.

Hundreds of rockets were launched by Islamic Jihad during the flare-up to revenge the airstrikes that killed two of its commanders and other militants. Israel said the strike was carried out to deter the organisation from retaliating after the detention of one of its officers in the occupied West Bank.

In the battle, 49 Palestinians were murdered, including 17 children and 14 terrorists, and hundreds were injured. The conflict concluded with an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire. There were no Israelis killed or badly injured.

The Islamic terrorist organisation Hamas, which rules Gaza, remained neutral.

A day after the cease-fire ended the bloodiest round of violence in Gaza in over a year, Israeli forces killed three Palestinian terrorists and injured scores more during an arrest raid in the West Bank city of Nablus.

(With Inputs From AP)