Gunman opens fire at bus stop in Israel, killing at least two people

At least two people were killed and four others injured when a gunman opened fire at a busy intersection in central Israel on Friday afternoon, Israeli authorities said.

Avi Bitton, an Israeli police commander, said the attack happened around 12:30 p.m. at a bus stop near the town of B'nei Re'em. The gunman was shot at the scene by an armed civilian and appeared to have acted. alone, Israeli police said, calling it an act of terror.

Six victims of the attack were taken to hospitals in central Israel, where two of them were pronounced dead, Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom said.

Israeli authorities have not formally identified the attacker or commented on his condition. Israeli news media reported that the shooter was a Palestinian from East Jerusalem.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and expressed condolences for the victims.

“This attack reminds us that the entire country is on the front lines,” he said said in a statement.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday's shooting.

Israel has been on high alert since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7. End of November minimum three people were killed when Palestinian gunmen, who Israeli authorities say were linked to the armed wing of Hamas, opened fire at a bus stop in Jerusalem.

On Friday, Hamas praised the shooting at B'nei Re'em, calling it “a natural response” to the Israeli army's war against the armed group in Gaza.

Johnatan Reiss reporting contributed.