Tensions between Israel and the occupied West Bank have steadily increased since the 7 October 2023 attacks.
Attack
Three Palestinian gunmen got out of their white Sedan armed with assault rifles and opened fire at close range on a bus and two cars traveling along Highway 55 in Al-Funduq. Three people were killed and eight others were injured, including at least one seriously.[1][2]
The attackers fled the scene after an armed civilian fired at them with a handgun. The Israel Defense Forces launched a manhunt to locate them using increased security and road blocks.
Victims
The victims were identified as 35-year-old police officer Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, 73-year-old Aliza Rais and 70-year-old Rachel Cohen. Out of the eight injured people, the 63-year-old bus driver was transported to a hospital in serious condition.[3]
Perpetrators
The three Palestinian gunmen were from the Jenin area in the northern West Bank. Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack two days later. [2][4]
Aftermath
In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that he approved operations for capturing attackers and a series of additional defensive and offensive operations in West Bank.[5][6] Following the attack, multiple reports emerged of Israeli settler retaliatory attacks against Palestinians in parts of the occupied West Bank.[7]
