Hamas Terrorists Murder Three in Jerusalem

Latest Developments

Two Hamas terrorists killed three Israelis and wounded 11 in a shooting attack in Jerusalem on November 30. The attack occurred at a popular bus stop at the entrance to the city and coincided with rush hour in the morning. The perpetrators were brothers from the Sur Baher neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem and had been in prison in the past for terror activity. The assault, which took place as the pause in fighting in Gaza was renewed that morning, came amid increasing support for Hamas in the West Bank. It also transpired in the same location as a November 2022 terrorist attack.

Expert Analysis

“This terrorist outrage came just an hour after Israel and Hamas extended the Gaza truce by another day. These two terrorists had been formerly jailed for terrorism offenses — a stark reminder of the danger posed by hundreds of Palestinians being released, including into Jerusalem, as part of the hostage deal who had also been arrested or convicted of terrorism offenses.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The terror attack in Jerusalem is evidence of increasing threats from Hamas supporters in eastern Jerusalem. The fact that the terrorists had access to firearms illustrates the danger of the trafficking of illegal weapons in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Hamas is seeking to extend its influence in the West Bank and use the hostage deal to get prisoners released to eastern Jerusalem. This is an increasing threat to Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Important questions remain: Did Hamas dispatch the terrorists to strike in Israel’s vulnerable home front as part of a general renewal of hostilities? Or were they sent despite the truce, as a reminder that the Palestinian terrorist group retains a wide deployment and operational readiness even as it suffers massive losses in Gaza? Whatever the case, no one should be in any doubt as to the need for Israel to keep fighting Hamas on all fronts.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Sur Baher Area Is Site of Past Terror Activity

The Sur Baher area is the site of past terrorist activity. Several men suspected of supporting the Islamic State were arrested in mid-November in a neighborhood next to Sur Baher. In 2022, Israeli authorities detained Hamas members in the same neighborhood. Numerous Palestinian prisoners guilty of a range of crimes have been released to eastern Jerusalem in the wake of the hostage deal with Hamas that saw a pause in fighting in Gaza.

Bus Stop Was Also Targeted in 2022

The bus stop where the attack occurred was also targeted by a bombing on November 23, 2022. Two bombings that day — one near the bus stop, the other by a bus stop at another entrance to Jerusalem — killed two people and wounded 22. The attacks also occurred in the morning during rush hour. Israeli security forces arrested a resident of eastern Jerusalem who supported the Islamic State in connection to the attack.

Related Analysis

“Support for Hamas Surges in the West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Forces Eliminate Two Islamic Jihad Terrorists in Jenin,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Asks for Extension of Pause in Fighting,” FDD Flash Brief