On 10 February 2023, three Israelis were killed and four more were injured when a Palestinian man rammed his car into a bus stop in Ramot, an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem. The assailant was shot dead at the scene by a police officer. The fatalities included two children aged 6 and 8 and a 20-year-old man. Police labeled the attack as an act of terrorism.[1][2][3]
| 2023 Ramot Junction attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict | |
 An Israeli police officer examines the attacker's vehicle at the scene of the attack. | |
  The attack site | |
| Native name | פיגוע הדריסה בשכונת רמות |
| Location | Ramot, East Jerusalem |
| Coordinates | 31°49′31″N 35°11′19″E / 31.82528°N 35.18861°E |
| Date | February 10, 2023 13:27 pm (UTC+2) |
Attack type | Vehicle-ramming attack |
| Deaths | 3 victims, 1 perpetrator |
| Injured | 4 victims |
| Perpetrator | Hussein Qaqawa |
Perpetrator
The attacker was identified as 31-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel named Hussein Qaraqa, a resident of Isawiya.[4][5] Social media (primarily Facebook) activity showed that Qaraqa had made statements in support of Palestinian militant groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Lions' Den. During the 2022 Gaza–Israel clashes he expressed his support for the PIJ. He regularly praised Palestinians who carried out attacks on Israelis, both soldiers and civilians.[6][7]
Qaraqa had been released from a psychiatric hospital a few days prior to the attack. His uncle told Palestinian media that Qaraqa suffered from severe back pain.[8] Israeli police arrested a Qaraqa's relative and his brother for expressing their intention to carry out similar attacks.[9]
Reactions
Hamas and Islamic Jihad both praised the attack as "heroic". The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the armed wing of the West Bank's governing Fatah party also welcomed the attack.[10]
In response, the Israeli cabinet approved the legalization of nine settlement outposts deep in the West Bank.[11] Israeli authorities announced 300 bus stops will be fortified to prevent future attacks, while the Jerusalem municipality will later fortify an additional 700 stops in areas where the need is deemed less urgent.[12] In addition, the Knesset passed a law to revoke Israeli citizenship of convicted terrorists who receive payments from the Palestinian Authority.[13]
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had recently visited Israel, said, "The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians is repugnant and unconscionable. We stand firmly with Israel in the face of this attack."[14]
The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on its website, conveying condolences to Israel, strongly condemning the "terrorist attack", and rejecting "all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles."[15]
European Union Ambassador to Israel Dimiter Tzantchev tweeted his horror and sadness and stated that "the EU strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism". UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert also issued public statements condemning the attack and extending their condolences to the families of the victims.[16]
US Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, called on all concerned parties to avoid actions that would "aggravate the situation on the ground" and instead protect "the prospect of a political solution to the mounting security crises."[16]
See also
References
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (10 February 2023). "Two killed, including 6-year-old boy, in Jerusalem car-ramming; driver shot dead". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ Temari, Liran; Yanko, Adir; Cohen, Gilad; Fox, Nina; Eichner, Itmar (10 February 2023). "ילד וצעיר נרצחו בפיגוע דריסה בירושלים. עוד 5 נפצעו, בהם ילד נוסף שמצבו אנוש" [A boy and a young man were killed in a stampede attack in Jerusalem. Another 5 were injured, including another child who is in critical condition]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ Greenwood, Hanan; Yalon, Yuri (10 February 2023). "שני נרצחים בפיגוע דריסה בירושלים; רה"מ נתניהו: "נפעל לאטום ולהרוס את בית המחבל מיידית"" [Two killed in a stampede attack in Jerusalem; Prime Minister Netanyahu: "We will work to seal and destroy the terrorist's house immediately"]. Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Child, Man Killed in Jerusalem Car Ramming Attack". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Two murdered in Jerusalem terror attack, multiple wounded". i24NEWS. 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ Pierre, Dion J. (10 February 2023). "Palestinians Celebrate Murder of Israelis in Terrorist Attack, Media Headlines Call Victims 'Settlers'". The Algemeiner. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "הפוסטים המסיתים של המחבל לפני הפיגוע: "תחי ההתנגדות האמיצה שלנו"" [The terrorist's inciting posts before the attack: "Long live our brave resistance"]. N12 (in Hebrew). 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Debre, Isabel (10 February 2023). "Israeli police: 2 killed, 5 wounded in Jerusalem car-ramming". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (15 February 2023). "Police arrest relative of Jerusalem car-rammer, say he also planned attack". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ "'A hero:' Palestinians celebrate Jerusalem terror attack". Ynet. 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Magid, Jacob (13 February 2023). "Cabinet okays legalization of 9 West Bank outposts in response to Jerusalem attacks". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Bachner, Michael (15 February 2023). "After terror attacks, all Jerusalem bus stops to be fortified, Border Police boosted". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Keller-Lynn, Carrie (15 February 2023). "Knesset passes law to strip terrorists who receive PA stipends of Israeli citizenship". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Gold, Hadas; Tal, Amir (10 February 2023). "Second child dies in car ramming attack in Jerusalem". CNN. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "UAE strongly condemns attack on bus station in Jerusalem". www.mofaic.gov.ae. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Jerusalem ramming: The world speaks out against killing of child, 20-year-old". The Jerusalem Post. 11 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.