A dozen Israeli soldiers were wounded, one critically, in a car-ramming attack in central Jerusalem, and officials are searching for the “terrorist” responsible.
The attack happened at about 2 a.m. local time on Thursday. The soldiers were passing by the First Station, a popular spot that features restaurants and entertainment, when the vehicle came barreling down the sidewalk and struck the group. The troops were unable to return fire before the driver left the scene, according to the Jerusalem Post.
“This happened in seconds,” said Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman,
A large group of officers is carrying out a manhunt for the suspect near the Palestinian town of Beit Jala where the car involved in the attack was discovered.
“IDF troops are currently pursuing the terrorist who escaped the scene,” the military said while describing the attacker as a Palestinian.
One of those injured was a 20-year-old soldier who was taken to the hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery for multisystem trauma.
“One of the injured was in a critical condition, and after having surgery, he is in a stable condition, but you cannot say that his life is not in danger anymore,” said Dr. Alon Schwartz with Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the person behind the attack would eventually be found and wished the soldiers a quick recovery.
“It’s only a matter of time — and not much time — until we get our hands on the perpetrator,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Terror will not overwhelm us, we will win.”
