3 dead in drive-by shooting attack in Samaria

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

At least eleven people were wounded, including three fatally, in a shooting attack on a road in Samaria Monday morning.

The attack took place at approximately 9:15 a.m., when terrorists driving in a passing car opened fire on several Israeli vehicles on Route 55 in central Samaria, near the Palestinian Authority-administered town of Al Funduq, between the Israeli towns of Kedumim and Karnei Shomron.

At least four Israeli vehicles were hit by gunfire during the attack, including three private cars and a passenger bus.

Immediately after the shooting attack, the terrorists fled the scene in their vehicle.

The IDF confirmed the attack, and said that security forces have been dispatched to the scene and that a manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators.

“Following the initial report, terrorists opened fire toward a civilian bus and vehicles adjacent to Al Funduq,” an army spokesperson said.

“As a result of the attack, a number of civilians were injured to varying degrees and are currently receiving medical treatment. Israeli Security Forces are pursuing the terrorists, setting up roadblocks and encircling several towns in the area.”

Emergency first responders from Magen David Adom (MDA) and United Hatzalah have been called to the scene to treat the victims and evacuate them to hospitals for treatment.

According to preliminary reports, a total of 11 people were wounded in the attack. Of those, three were initially listed in critical condition, before succumbing to their wounds. They include one man and two women.

The eight other victims are listed in conditions ranging from serious to light.

“MDA EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment at the scene to the victims and pronounced the deaths of three individuals traveling in the vehicles – two females approximately 60 years old and a male around 40 years old – who were found unconscious and without signs of life,” MDA reported.

“Eight additional injured individuals were evacuated to Meir and Beilinson hospitals, including: The bus driver, a 63-year-old male, in serious condition and conscious, with gunshot wounds to his limbs and abdomen; two females in their 60s in moderate condition; and six others in mild condition.”

MDA Paramedic Avichai Ben Tzurya, who arrived at the scene, reported: “This is a very serious attack spread across the road involving multiple vehicles.”

“We conducted quick searches and identified two females and a male in private cars without a pulse, suffering from severe gunshot wounds. We had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene.”

“Inside the bus, we treated victims of gunshots and shattered glass injuries, including the bus driver, who was conscious and suffering from gunshot wounds, as well as additional victims in mild to moderate condition. The teams worked quickly to evacuate them to hospitals for further treatment.”

MDA EMT Zur Goldenberg, who was first to arrive at the scene, added: “I was near the area with another MDA EMT when the call came in and arrived at the scene within two minutes.”

“I saw IDF forces and the vehicles with the victims, who were unconscious and suffering from severe gunshot wounds. The teams arriving with me quickly treated all the injured from the bus and the vehicles, and the wounded were evacuated to hospitals. This is a very difficult incident.”