(PHOTOS & VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Three Israelis were killed in the Tuesday morning, 6 Tishrei 5778 terrorist attack at Har Adar including a border policeman and two guards.

The attack occurred close to 7:00AM at a rear entrance to the community, which is located near Abu Ghosh and the Green Line on Road 425, approximately 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem. A male in his 30s was seriously wounded and was transported to the trauma unit of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.

Magen David Adom paramedics and EMTS operated on the scene to treat the wounded as did United Hatzalah personnel.

Moshir Abu Katish, a Muslim volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah who lives in the neighboring Arab-Israeli town of Abu Gosh, was one of the first responders on the scene. Katish spoke about what he saw when he arrived at the location of the attack.

“I was alerted to the attack by the United Hatzalah dispatch center and I raced over to the scene which took place near the fence of Har Adar. Security forces had shot and killed the terrorist who had carried out a shooting attack against a group of Israelis who live in Har Adar. I ran to treat the injured people who were suffering from gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. More volunteers from United Hatzalah began to arrive and assist in the treatment. EMTs, paramedics, and doctors all arrived at the scene as did our Psychotrauma and Crisis Response unit who is tasked with providing emotional and psychological stabilization at scenes of major trauma such as this one. Unfortunately, the three more seriously injured people in the attack were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth person who was injured we treated at the scene before he was transported to the hospital for further treatment and observation.”

Deputy Commander of MDA Jerusalem District Avi Hovav, who was on the scene, explains “unfortunately, the three had to be pronounced dead on the scene. The fourth victim was transported to Hadassah Hospital”.

The border police were opening the rear path to PA (Palestinian Authority) workers when targeted by gunfire. The terrorist was identified as a resident of Beit Suriq, near Har Adar. When he arrived, he aroused the suspicion of security personnel, who instructed him to stop. It was then that he pulled a handgun from his shirt and opened fire.

The terrorist is a father of four and has a permit to work, albeit a lower level permit that allows him to work in the area but not actually inside the community.

Initial reports that the victims also sustained stab wounds are not correct. Hamas was quick to praise the attack, which it explains delivers another “blow to the occupation”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Media Resource Group & Moshe Mizrachi)