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Crime

Americans and pregnant woman shot by Palestinian gunman in Jerusalem

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad both praised the attack

August 14, 2022 2:14pm

Updated: August 15, 2022 1:49pm

At least eight people, including five Americans, are injured after a Palestinian gunman opened fire early Sunday morning near the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

An armed terrorist shot at a bus and vehicles in the Old City around 1:30 a.m., Israeli police said.

The suspect, identified by The Jerusalem Post as Amir Sidawi, turned himself in following a manhunt. While officials said Sidawi, a resident of east Jerusalem, has a criminal background, it is unclear whether he is connected to a terrorist group.

Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) both condemned the attack and confirmed that five Americans were injured.

The mother underwent an emergency cesarean operation and both she and the baby are in serious condition, Shaare Zedek Hospital stated.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the latter of which was targeted in an anti-terrorism operation earlier this week, both praised the attack. 

Hamas said the "heroic and courageous operation" was was “a natural reaction to the arrogance of the occupation soldiers and settlers and their daily crimes against the Palestinian people and their Islamic and Christian lands and holy sites, as well as their ongoing and their ongoing incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque," according to The Jerusalem Post.

"The occupation must pay the price for its continuing crimes against our people, from Gaza to Jenin and Nablus," Islamic Jihad spokesman Tareq Ezzadin said.