[EARLIER UPDATES BELOW]

08:52: Channel 2 News reports one of the terrorists involved in the attack was a resident of the Jabil Mukhaber neighborhood of the capital. His brother is currently serving a life sentence in an Israeli prison.

Hamas applauds the attack, calling it a “quality attack inside the capital to avenge the murder of the Egged driver”. It should be noted the autopsy of the Arab bus driver proved conclusively that he took his own life as the evidence at the scene indicated.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita calls on Muslim leaders to clearly condemn the murder and to stop the incitement.

08:25: Jerusalem hospitals are calling on the public to donate blood, especially Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

08:07: According to Nir D’vori, Channel 2 News correspondent, a total of four people were murdered in the attack R”L.

Two terrorists, residents of the eastern capital entered the shul armed with axes and at least one handgun. They opened fire and began swinging indiscriminately. Two policemen nearby heard the gunfire and ran over, engaging the terrorists. They got into a shootout and succeeded in killing the terrorists. One policeman was wounded, possibly seriously. It remains unclear.

At total of six people were transported to area hospitals. At least one is listed in serious condition.

07:58: Two of the seriously wounded were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital trauma center. One seriously wounded victim was taken to the trauma unit of Shaare Zedek Hospital.

MDA reports the initial call came into the dispatch center shortly after 7AM. EMS units were on the scene in minutes.

It appears that once again, the terrorists were residents of the eastern capital, as has been the case in recent vehicular terror attacks.

07:46: MDA reports five persons in serious condition and four in moderate-to-serious condition. First on the scene was Hachovesh Har Nof which is the community based EMS unit connected to MDA.

It is now reported the terrorists were armed with at least one gun, knives and axes.

Ichud Hatzalah is reporting six bodies at the scene. It is believed two of them are the terrorists, but this is unconfirmed.

Police are not certain the area is secure. A third terrorist may have fled and still be at large in the community.

07:40: Police fear a third terrorist succeeded in fleeing the scene and is at large in the community. Residents are instructed to lock their doors and remain inside.

07:38: The attack occurred in Kehillas Bnei Torah. The mora d’asra is Rabbi Yitzchak Mordechai Rubin Shlita, the mechaber of the sefer Orchos Shabbos.

07:31: It is unknown if the dead are victims of the terrorists YS”VZ. At least three bodies are on the scene. Others are injured, apparently some in serious condition.

Terrorists entered the shul and someone reportedly fired at them. There is a great deal of confusion as police continue to secure the area which is a residential block in the heart of the chareidi community. It is entirely possible the terrorists entered with knives and axes and someone fired and that gunfire could have struck mispallalim. Once again, it is too early for confirmed information as police have not yet begun analyzing the scene. They want to be certain there are no more terrorists at large. It does appear two terrorists are among the dead on the scene.

The shul that was targeted is connected to the Yechavei Daas Shul where Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L was mora d’asra.

07:28: There are reports of “numerous” dead and seriously injured in the shul. No more at this time.

07:23: According to numerous reliable but yet unconfirmed reports from the scene, there are a number of fatalities. It remains unclear if the dead are the shooters of victims.

07:17 IL: Police and EMS units are responding to a reported shooting incident in a shul located at 5 Agassi Street in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim. It appears gunfire is still heard in the location at this time.





(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)