“This was a severe attack that occurred across multiple scenes where vehicles and a bus were struck by gunfire,” stated paramedic Avichai Ben Zruya. “Upon our initial searches for casualties, we discovered two women, approximately 60 years old, inside a vehicle. They were found unconscious, without a pulse or breathing, and with gunshot wounds.”
The military confirmed that troops had established roadblocks and were surrounding several nearby towns in efforts to apprehend the attackers. Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, declared that he had instructed the military to take decisive action to locate the perpetrators. “We will not tolerate a situation resembling Gaza in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). Anyone who aligns themselves with Hamas in Gaza and facilitates or shelters the targeting of Jews will face severe consequences,” Ben Gvir announced. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the far-right ruling coalition, also issued a stern warning following the attack. “Funduq, Nablus, and Jenin should serve as examples akin to Jabalia,” he stated, referring to a town in northern Gaza now in ruins, “so that Kfar Saba, a central Israeli city, does not, God forbid, suffer a similar fate.”
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. According to data from the Ramallah-based health ministry, at least 818 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops or settlers during the conflict. In the same period, Palestinian attacks in the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, as reported by Israeli authorities.
Throughout the holiday season, the IDF has continued its extensive operations in Gaza, prompting concerns from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations regarding raids on hospitals and displacement camps for civilians. Despite ongoing negotiations led by the U.S. and regional partners to broker a ceasefire in the conflict, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking during a visit to South Korea on Monday, acknowledged the challenges of reaching a truce agreement before President Biden’s term concludes on January 20.
President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to adopt a more sympathetic stance towards the Israeli government in resolving the conflict, expressing his intention to swiftly end the war without specifying the method for achieving this goal.
In unrelated news, a massive winter storm is forecasted to bring heavy snow, ice, and cold temperatures to 25 states. Additionally, learn about how Oakland’s Creative Growth has nurtured generations of artists, and awaken your day with the captivating work of sunrise photographer Bugsy Sailor.
