Gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Israelis in the occupied West Bank on Monday, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three people and injuring seven others. The attack took place in the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq, escalating the violence that has been surging in the region since Hamas' attack from Gaza on October 7, 2023.
Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service confirmed that two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s lost their lives in the attack. The military is actively searching for the perpetrators behind this heinous act.
Recent years have seen a rise in Palestinian-initiated attacks against Israelis, including shootings, stabbings, and car-rammings. In response, Israel has been conducting frequent military raids in the West Bank, often leading to clashes with militants. Additionally, there has been an increase in attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers, prompting sanctions from the United States.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 838 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the conflict began in Gaza. While many of the casualties were militants engaged in battles with Israeli troops, there have also been civilian casualties, including participants in protests.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to apprehend the perpetrators of the bus attack and hold them accountable, along with anyone who aided them. Hamas, while not claiming responsibility, praised the attack.
The West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem were captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians aspire to have these territories for their future state. Currently, around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority overseeing population centers.
Over 500,000 Israeli settlers reside in more than 100 settlements across the West Bank, a move considered illegal by most of the international community.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza continues unabated, with ongoing talks focusing on a potential ceasefire and the release of hostages showing some progress. The war in Gaza began with a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants, resulting in significant casualties and abductions.
Israel's military offensive in Gaza has led to a high number of Palestinian casualties, with reports indicating a significant loss of civilian lives. The conflict has displaced a large portion of Gaza's population, with many enduring harsh conditions in tent camps along the coast.
The war has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, making it challenging for aid groups to provide essential assistance due to Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting, and the breakdown of law and order in various areas.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
