One Israeli was killed and eight more were wounded, including three severely, after Palestinian terrorists fired at motorists Thursday morning on Highway 1 near Ma’aleh Adumim.
Three terrorists were killed at the scene by armed civilians, police said. They were identified as Muhammed Zuwarah, 26; his brother Hathem Zuwarah, 31; and Ahmad al-Hush, 31. All three were residents of Bethlehem.
The terrorists took advantage of a traffic jam at the A-Za’ayem checkpoint that separates the West Bank from Jerusalem. Vehicles coming from the direction of Ma’aleh Adumim and other points in the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley, were stuck in a protracted traffic jam as they waited to be given clearance to continue to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The terrorists arrived at the scene in two separate vehicles, fully armed with an M-16 rifle, a Carlo submachine gun, grenades, and cartridges. They exited their vehicles and began to shoot at people sitting inside their cars.
The two terrorists who began shooting were shot and killed, while the other one tried to escape and was found.
Paramedics rushed to the scene, providing treatment for the wounded.
Police at the scene of the shooting outside of Ma;ale Adumim, two terrorists were killed on the scene (Credit VIA MAARIV)
Those at the scene of the attack
Matan Elmaliach, 26, from Ma’aleh Adumim, was killed.
Eleven victims were taken to Jerusalem hospitals. Among the wounded were four in moderate condition and fully conscious, including a 30-year-old woman with gunshot wounds to her upper body, a 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and limbs, a 51-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the limbs, and a 52-year-old woman with gunshot wounds to the limbs.
In addition, MDA teams took four victims suffering from PTSD to hospitals.
“There were wounded people at several locations,” United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Avraham Becker said. “I provided initial treatment to two women who had gunshot wounds and another woman who was in shock. Other United Hatzalah EMTs worked at the other scenes and assisted several more people who were in various conditions.”
Taking advantage of the traffic jams
Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi said Highway 1 outside of Ma’aleh Adumin always has morning traffic jams.
“For a long time now, we have been contacting the National Security Ministry, the IDF, and the police, warning them [about] the tunnel checkpoint,” he said. “These traffic jams are a recipe for plotting an attack against Israelis who are caught in traffic.”
“We initially appealed in various meetings and through letters, and we even initiated a discussion in the Knesset National Security Committee,” Revivi said. “All the calls, so far, have unfortunately fallen on deaf ears.”
Further response to the attack
Ma’aleh Adumim Deputy Mayor Guy Yifrah said: “Driving with Palestinians on Highway 1 is a ticking time bomb. The Israeli government must stop [having] Ma’aleh Adumim residents [share the roads] with Palestinian vehicles.”
“I demand the construction of a new road immediately,” he said. “Until this road is paved, two additional checkpoints should be set up. Palestinians must not be allowed to enter Jerusalem without inspection.”
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said: “The serious attack this morning near Ma’aleh Adumim reminds us once again that Palestinian terrorism must be defeated. Thanks to the bravery of the security forces and the armed citizens who were on the scene, a greater disaster was avoided.”
The attack occurred as the IDF and the Border Police braced for more violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem due to the ongoing Gaza war and Ramadan, which begins on March 10.
Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.