Attack Details and Israeli Response
Five Israeli were killed and eleven wounded in a shooting at Ramot Junction in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, with two attackers subsequently killed by an off-duty soldier and armed civilian. The attack occurred at a bus stop in a settlement area built on land illegally annexed by Israel in 1967, a move unrecognized by the UN and international community. Israeli police imposed a full closure on Palestinian villages near Ramallah, conducting raids and arrests in what rights groups condemn as collective punishment. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to "apprehend all involved".
Hamas Says Attack 'Response to Oppression'
Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the operation as a "natural response to occupation crimes and genocide in Gaza" though neither claimed direct responsibility. Hamas noted the attack reflects widespread desperation after nearly two years of Israeli assaults that have killed over 64,000 Palestinians. Analysts like Ori Goldberg emphasized that Israel’s systematic destruction of Palestinian political avenues leaves violence as one of few perceived forms of resistance. The attack coincides with Israel’s intensified bombardment of Gaza City, where famine conditions now prevail.
Historical Patterns and Media Bias
The shooting mirrors earlier operations, including a November 2023 bus stop attack and an October 2024 Tel Aviv shooting that killed seven. Western media coverage consistently frames such events as "terrorism" while ignoring contextual Israeli violence. As journalist Matti Friedman noted, major outlets like AP disproportionately focus on Israeli narratives, often omitting Palestinian perspectives. The BBC faces internal turmoil over shelving documentaries critical of Israel, revealing institutional bias.
International Law and Double Standards
While the EU condemned the shooting, it overlooked Israel’s decades-long occupation and recent attacks on civilians in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority reiterated its rejection of civilian targeting but emphasized that stability requires ending Israel’s occupation. UN experts note that under international law, populations under occupation have a right to resist.