Following a terrorist attack at Lamot Junction in Jerusalem on Monday, soldiers, along with many civilians, returned fire to end the incident. Reports indicate that at least six people were killed and others injured.
According to varying accounts, Israeli police noted that it was a soldier and a civilian who successfully “neutralized” the assailant.
The attackers targeted pedestrians and those at bus stops, resulting in multiple casualties.
The victims have been identified as Levi Yitzhak Pash, 57; Yaakov Pinto, 25; Yisrael Matzner, 28; Rabbi Yosef David, 43; Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, 79; and Sarah Mendelson, 60.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attacks, stating, “We are in a terrifying war on several fronts,” and expressed sorrow for the families affected.
He emphasized that such acts of violence will not deter their resolve but will instead strengthen their mission in Gaza and other regions.
Following the large-scale October 7 attack by Hamas, it has become apparent that civilian gun ownership in Israel is limited, which affects the capacity of residents to defend themselves against such attacks. Discussions around changing gun laws began after earlier incidents, and there are ongoing considerations to expand access to firearms.
On October 10, it was reported that the Israeli National Security Minister announced the distribution of 10,000 assault rifles to private security forces in communities along the borders.
