An attacker rammed the front end of a massive construction bulldozer into an Israeli bus on Monday, overturning the vehicle before he was shot and killed by a police officer, authorities said.
At least one person died, and there were several injuries, including passengers and pedestrians on the street, according to local reports. Police called the incident a "terrorist attack," indicating that they suspected Palestinian involvement.
Video of the attack, posted by an eyewitness on Facebook, shows the yellow bulldozer driving up along the bus as series of gunshots ring out. The tractor then takes lands five sweeping blows on the left side of the bus, the last one tipping it on its side.
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Post by علي نصر عبيدات.
Video posted on YouTube captured the moment the attacker was shot dead and the immediate aftermath.
The attack occurred on a main thoroughfare near Jerusalem's light-rail line in an area located near the unofficial line between Jewish West Jerusalem and east Jerusalem, the section of the city captured by Israel in 1967 and is home to most of the city's Arab population. Israeli media said the attacker came from an Arab area of the city.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a police officer in the area opened fire and killed the attacker.
The flipped bus and tractor in Jerusalem. Half the police department seems to be here. pic.twitter.com/mHIj54cFTC— Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) August 4, 2014
In the past, Palestinian attackers have gone on deadly rampages with bulldozers, tractors and excavators in Jerusalem traffic.
Pic of the excavator used in suspected terror attack in Jerusalem (driver shot dead, credit: Rotternik) #Israel pic.twitter.com/NGjGmelgTy— Ben Hartman (@Benhartman) August 4, 2014
Tensions have been high between Arabs and Jews in the region amid a monthlong war between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. An Israel-declared cease-fire and troop withdrawals, however, slows the violence in Gaza on Monday, though tensions are still high.
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