One Killed, 11 Wounded in Terrorist Shooting Attack Near Jerusalem Checkpoint

An Israeli man was killed and 11 others were wounded in a terror shooting attack carried out by three Palestinian gunmen near a checkpoint between Jerusalem and the Judea and Samaria settlement city of Ma’ale Adumim on Thursday morning, February 22, police and medics said.

According to police, the trio opened fire with automatic weapons at Israelis waiting in traffic while heading toward Jerusalem on the Route 1 highway, a few hundred meters before the az-Za’ayyem checkpoint, close to the town of the same name.

A man in his 20s was killed in the shooting, medical officials said. He was later identified as Matan Elmaliah, 26, of Ma’aleh Adumim. The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated a total of 12 people, including Matan.

A pregnant woman aged 23 was listed in serious condition, and four others were in moderate condition, including a woman in her 30s, a man aged 23, a man aged 51, and a woman aged 52, MDA said. The pregnant woman was undergoing “significant surgery,” according to Dr. Alon Schwartz, head of the trauma department at Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Two of the gunmen were shot dead by security forces and armed civilians at the scene. The third gunman initially fled, before being “neutralized” a short while later following police searches in the area, law enforcement officials said. Images shared by police showed that the trio, residents of the Bethlehem area, were armed with assault rifles, makeshift submachine guns, and a grenade.

The Shin Bet security agency identified the terrorists as Muhammad Zawahra, 26, and his brother Kathem Zawahra, 31, both residents of the village of Ta’amra, and Ahmed Al-Wahsh, 31, a resident of Za’atara. Kathem Zawahra had been previously jailed for entering Israel illegally, the Shin Bet said. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you comfort Matan’s family and we send our heartfelt condolences to them. We pray for his family and we hope that You offer them your comfort and provisions during this devastating time. We humbly ask that You heal the wounded and take special care of the pregnant woman and the baby who are currently at risk. We also ask that You erase the hatred from the hearts of the terrorists who wish to harm our citizens and that You help us identify the ones who have already caused immeasurable pain.”

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