Hamas on Sunday said the terrorist who opened fire in Jerusalem, killing two Israelis and injuring five, was one its members.

After apparently taking credit for the attack, the Gaza-based terror group also praised the shooting as “heroic” and “brave.”

In a separate statement, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum called the deadly attack “a natural reaction to the crimes and violations of the occupation against our people.”

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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement also praised that attack, calling it “heroic.”

The fatalities in the terror attack at Ammunition Hill were a female bystander approximately 60 years of age later identified as Levana Malihi — and a police officer, approximately 30 years old, who was involved in the shootout with the terrorist.

The two were taken to Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus, where doctors attempted to revive them, a hospital spokesperson said. They were later pronounced dead.

At least five other people were injured in the attack on Sunday morning. Three of the injured were shot and two others hurt when the terrorist plowed his car into theirs.

Three of the victims, including a 68-year-old man, were moderately wounded, while another two were lightly injured in the attack, according to the Magen David Adom emergency medical service.

The attacker was shot and killed. He was identified as a 39-year-old resident of Silwan in East Jerusalem, police said.

According to reports, he was to report to prison on Sunday to serve a sentence for incitement.

The assailant possessed an Israeli identification card, according to Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan.

The attack began as the assailant drove by police headquarters on Haim Bar-Lev Street, a main artery also served by the city’s light rail, and opened fire at a group of people, hitting one woman, police said.

He sped off toward Charles Simon Clermont-Ganneau Street and shot a woman who was in her car, critically wounding her.

He continued toward the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Police officers on motorcycles from the city’s Special Patrol Unit saw the shooting and gave chase, police said.



Judah Ari Gross and AFP contributed to this report.