In a troubling escalation of violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, gunmen targeted a bus on January 6, 2025, killing three Israelis and injuring seven others. The attack occurred in the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq on one of the main east-west roads frequently traveled by both Palestinians and Israelis (Los Angeles Times). Among the deceased were two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s, as reported by Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service. In the aftermath, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to pursue those responsible, stating, “No one will be spared.”

The uptick in violence follows a history of aggression since Hamas's initial attack on October 7, 2023, which saw around 1,200 fatalities and over 250 hostages taken (Associated Press). Since that time, the Israeli military has intensified operations, causing significant casualties in the West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry estimates over 838 Palestinians have died from Israeli fire since the outbreak of the conflict, with a portion of these being militants.
Violence has now surged further, with recent reports indicating that 46 Israelis have died due to conflict-related attacks in the same timeframe.

Hamas has acknowledged the attack but did not officially claim responsibility. This incident reflects a broader pattern of sustained violence in the region, with reports of numerous attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in recent months, prompting U.S. sanctions (Associated Press).

Read more here for updates on the ongoing situation.