Palestinian Attacker Killed After Shooting Several Israelis in Jerusalem

A Palestinian armed driver residing in East Jerusalem shot at passersby in two locations in the city on Sunday, October 8, killing two Israelis and injuring several others before being killed himself. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated in a government meeting that this was a terrorist attack. Videos released by the Israeli police show the Palestinian driver pulling out a weapon and initially shooting at people waiting at a tram station, as well as drivers and passengers in other vehicles. According to the released footage, the armed Palestinian driver continued shooting at another location on Sheikh Jarrah Street, the border between the Arab-populated East and the Jewish-populated West Jerusalem, but was shot down by Israeli security forces. Luana Malihi, a 60-year-old Israeli woman driving near the tram station, and Yossi Kerma, a 30-year-old police officer from the border guard who was pursuing the Palestinian attacker, were killed in the incident. Eight injured individuals were transferred to Hadassah Hospital, located just steps away from the attack route, and others, including passersby and vehicle passengers who were in shock, received treatment. This attack occurred during the Jewish New Year and coincided with heightened security measures for the Yom Kippur ceremonies taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The Israeli police chief stated that the high security measures due to the Jewish holidays led to the attacker being neutralized 'just a few minutes after the attack began.' The Palestinian attacker, 39-year-old Misbah Abu Sbeih, a resident of East Jerusalem, was a member of the 'Murabitoon' organization, which supports Al-Aqsa. Just hours before the attack, he told Palestinian media that 'defending Al-Aqsa is the duty of every Muslim.' The Al-Aqsa network, affiliated with Hamas, broadcasted the 'will' of the attacker, calling on Palestinians in East Jerusalem to work to expel 'the occupying forces' and 'maintain Islamic control over Al-Aqsa.' The Israeli police confirmed that Abu Sbeih had previously been tried in Israeli courts for engaging in a confrontation with an Israeli police officer, 'undergoing military training,' and 'burning Israeli vehicles,' and had been sentenced to four months in prison, with plans to report to prison on Monday, October 9. Hamas announced that the deceased attacker was a member of the movement, and Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum described the attack as a 'natural reaction to the actions of the occupiers.' Abu Sbeih's daughter also appeared in Palestinian media to praise her father's actions, calling him 'a great man.' In honor of this act, some Palestinian business owners in East Jerusalem closed their shops. Additionally, Palestinian television networks in Gaza aired footage showing residents celebrating the news of the armed attack in Jerusalem by distributing sweets among passersby. This week marks the first anniversary of violent street attacks, during which, including today's casualties, 42 Israelis have been killed. During this time, over 250 Palestinians, mostly perpetrators of attacks such as stabbings against Israeli passersby, have also been killed by Israel.