This is a developing story and we will keep updating it as further details become available.
3:05PM: Israeli Deputy Commissioner Sigal Bar Zvi told Israeli press there were “no specific warnings” about this morning’s attack, but there had been intelligence pointing to planned attacks in general. She also said Israeli police have raised their level of alert following the explosions.
1:30PM: Israeli forces have closed the Beit Iksa checkpoint northwest of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem24 – Yara Alnazer – Two consecutive explosions occurred in Jerusalem this morning, killing a 16-year-old Canadian yeshiva student and injuring 14 another people.
According to preliminary results shared with Israeli media, the two explosive devices were identical, and stashed with nails. They were placed inside a bag and detonated remotely using cellular devices.
The first explosion took place at a bus station on a major road into West Jerusalem at 7:05AM. Less than half an hour later, a second explosion followed at a bus stop near the illegal Israel settlement of Ramot in occupied East Jerusalem.
No Palestinian factions have claimed the attack, although Hamas issued a statement this morning praising the attack.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the closure of Road 1, the western entrance to Jerusalem, as well as the Hizmeh checkpoint between the West Bank and the north of Jerusalem, and the Salem and Jalamah checkpoints north of Jenin.
Israeli forces have deployed helicopters and drones in search of suspects in the twin explosions, which could be seen in the skies above Jerusalem and Ramallah.
“Fully responsible”
Far-right extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is vying for the position of Minister of Public Security in Netanyahu’s incoming government, tweeted this morning; “The explosion […] takes us back to the difficult intifada period. It’s time to take a harder stance against terrorists”.
He also gave a press statement at the scene, saying the Israeli government “must return to the targeted assassinations, we must impose a curfew on the village from which the terrorists came […] It’s time to establish a right-wing government as soon as possible”.
Far-right extremist Bezalel Smotrich, who is himself hoping to become Minister of Defense, also issued a statement at the scene: “The murderous Arab terror is knocking on our door; we must form a government immediately! I call on incoming Prime Minister Netanyahu to convene all leaders of the incoming coalition, so we can form a right-wing government that will restore security to the citizens of Israel.”
2022 has been one of the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank including East Jerusalem since the Second Intifada, with the Israeli military making increasing use of targeted assassinations, house sieges, heavy weaponry, mass arrests, and daytime large-scale invasions making exclusive use of live ammunition. 139 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank so far this year, including 35 children, and over 8,400 injured.
In a statement this morning condemning the killing by the Israeli military of 16-year-old Ahmad Shehadeh in Nablus last night, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “holds the occupying power fully responsible for the escalation and repercussions in the conflict.”
