Six Israelis have been killed and eight others wounded by Palestinian gunmen in one of the deadliest shooting attacks in Jerusalem in the past few years.

Israeli police reported that two terrorists arrived in a vehicle and opened fire towards a bus stop at Ramot Junction, on the city's northern outskirts. An off-duty soldier and a civilian returned fire, effectively neutralizing the attackers.

The victims included five men aged between 25 and 79 and a 60-year-old woman. Local hospitals reported two individuals were in serious condition.

No armed group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, although Hamas praised the operation, calling it a natural response to the crimes of the occupation and the violence faced by Palestinians.

During a visit to the attack site, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is in an intense war against terrorism on several fronts and pledged to take stronger action against those who facilitated the attack.

Israeli security forces are currently focused on surrounding the villages from which the assailants originated and have launched operations to thwart further violence.

The attack occurred at the end of the morning rush hour. An Israeli police spokesman described how the terrorists targeted civilians waiting at the bus stop. Armed civilians on the scene successfully engaged the attackers, stopping the assault swiftly.

Dashcam footage shared by Israeli authorities depicted civilians fleeing in panic as gunfire ensued, and accounts from witnesses, such as Ester Lugasi, illustrate the chaos and fear experienced during the event.

As the city reels from the attack, both Israeli and international leaders have condemned the violence. Israeli President Isaac Herzog characterized the attack as a tragedy inflicted by evil terrorists, while world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee voiced their horror and solidarity with Israel.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the attack, reiterating their position against targeting civilians. Hamas maintained praise for the attackers as part of their broader struggle against the Israeli state.

This incident occurs amidst heightened security measures and ongoing military operations in response to prior escalations of violence, particularly following the conflict between Hamas and Israel that reignited last year.