12-Year-Old Boy Killed in West Bank Bus Shooting terrorist Attack and Several Injured

A tragic shooting attack on an Israeli civilian bus late Wednesday night left a 12-year-old boy dead and several others injured. The attack took place at the Al-Khader intersection in Gush Etzion, near the tunnel checkpoint in Jerusalem, as a terrorist fired 23 bullets at bus line 291 operated by the "Kavim" company.

The shooting occurred at approximately 11:36 p.m. when the terrorist, reportedly firing from a passing vehicle, opened fire on the bus, hitting multiple passengers. Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha, a 12-year-old boy, was critically wounded by gunfire and rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

A woman in her 40s was moderately injured in the attack, while two others, aged 55 and 24, sustained lighter injuries from gunfire and broken glass. The woman was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Hospital for treatment, while the others were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem in mild condition.

Footage Shows Fleeing Passengers

Video footage from the scene captured panic as women and children fled the bus and ran toward security forces at the checkpoint. The footage, which was filmed after the shooting, shows passengers escaping the scene as gunfire echoes in the background, though it is unclear whether the shots are from the terrorist or the responding forces. Shortly after the attack, a large presence of armed security personnel arrived at the scene.

Manhunt Underway for Terrorist

The terrorist, who reportedly fired at the bus from a moving vehicle, managed to flee the scene before security forces could apprehend him. In response, Israeli police blocked off the Begin Highway south of Jerusalem, and a joint manhunt was launched involving the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police. Security forces are collecting intelligence to track down the vehicle from which the shots were fired.

A source in the security establishment said the terrorist may have reached Palestinian security forces, who took his weapon but refused to shelter him. Security forces have expanded their search to the Palestinian village of Husan near Bethlehem, and other areas in the West Bank have been cordoned off in an attempt to capture the fugitive.

IDF and Police Collaborate in Search Effort

The IDF, along with local police, has initiated a widespread search operation, setting up roadblocks and tightening security around Bethlehem and its surroundings. It is suspected that the terrorist may have continued firing after reaching the tunnel checkpoint, though this has yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Security forces have also surrounded key locations in Bethlehem, including the Palestinian village of Husan, and are actively monitoring the area for any signs of the suspect's whereabouts.

MDA Paramedics Describe Urgent Medical Response

MDA paramedics Elhai Sofer and Yaakov Greenwald arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and described the difficult medical efforts to save the young boy. "We arrived quickly and found the 12-year-old boy with severe gunshot wounds to his upper body. We provided life-saving medical treatment and evacuated him to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where his condition was critical," Greenwald said. Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead.

MDA also reported that the woman in her 40s, who suffered gunshot wounds to her limbs, was fully conscious when evacuated to Shaare Zedek Hospital. The other two injured individuals, a 55-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were treated for lighter injuries and evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem.

Reactions and Calls for Action

The Yesha Council, which represents Jewish communities in the West Bank, condemned the attack and called for a stronger response against terrorist infrastructure. "This attack is not a fate; it is part of a larger ongoing threat," the council said in a statement. "It is time to mobilize the population, take action within the cities, and destroy the terrorist networks that threaten our communities."

The council also emphasized that there should be no distinction between the threats posed by terrorists in Gaza and those in the West Bank. "Terrorism is the same wherever it is," the statement said. "The solution must be the same."

Similar Attack in Ariel Highlights Escalating Threats

This latest shooting attack follows a similar incident last week in the West Bank town of Ariel, where bus driver Hassan Al-Sakhan was critically injured when six bullets were fired at the windshield of his bus. Al-Sakhan was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where doctors fought to stabilize his condition.

The two incidents underscore the growing threat to civilian transport in the West Bank, where Israeli commuters have increasingly become targets of terrorist attacks.

Ongoing Investigation and Search Efforts

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the attack and are following up on all available leads in their effort to apprehend the suspect. A number of senior Israeli officials, including Major General Avi Balut of the Central Command and Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein, visited the scene of the attack to monitor the ongoing security response.

As the manhunt for the terrorist continues, Israeli security forces remain on high alert in the West Bank, with efforts to prevent further violence intensifying.

The family of Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha is mourning the loss of their young son, who was killed just after returning from a family event in Beitar Illit.