[Today’s Prayer] Shooting at Bus Stop in Jerusalem Leaves at Least 6 Dead

On the 8th (local time), a shooting took place at a bus stop in Jerusalem, leaving at least six people dead. The suspects were killed.

According to CNN and Reuters, on that morning during rush hour, two armed men arrived by car at the Ramot junction and opened fire toward the bus stop. They were shot dead by a security guard and a civilian who were at the scene.

The identities and motives of the gunmen have not yet been clearly revealed. Palestinian militant faction Hamas praised the two attackers as “resistance fighters” but did not claim responsibility. Another Palestinian armed group, Islamic Jihad, also welcomed the attack but likewise did not claim it as their own.

Israeli police identified the shooters only as “terrorists,” stating that multiple weapons, ammunition, and knives were recovered at the scene.

(omitted)

The Ramot junction is located in East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied during the 1967 war and later annexed. After Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, West Jerusalem came under Israeli control, while East Jerusalem was ruled by Jordan. Israel later illegally occupied East Jerusalem and declared the entire city its united capital.

Most United Nations member states do not recognize Israel’s annexation of the territory and consider East Jerusalem to be occupied land under international law.

Palestinians, angered by Israel’s occupation, have carried out repeated acts of terrorism, both large and small. In November 2023, two armed Palestinians killed three people at a bus stop in Jerusalem.

Source: Nate News

“Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem” (Psalm 51:18)

We have heard the sorrowful news that at a bus stop near the Ramot road junction in East Jerusalem, armed Palestinians opened fire, killing six people and injuring many others, while the two perpetrators were shot dead.

Although the exact identities and motives of the gunmen remain unclear, and neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, their praise of it has spread fear among Israelis— even among those who are not conservative— that any Palestinian might become a terrorist. In this situation, we pray more than ever for the peace of the Lord to rest upon Israel.

We ask the Holy Spirit to intervene so that this tragedy does not escalate into Israeli retaliation against Palestinian civilians. Through the leaders of Israel and Palestine, may the families of the victims be comforted and this crisis resolved swiftly.

Since Israel illegally occupied all of Jerusalem and declared it its sole capital—after previously dividing East and West Jerusalem with Jordan following the War of Independence—Palestinians, resentful of the occupation, have continued to carry out attacks. Amid these conflicts, may both Israel and Palestine come to realize that Jerusalem belongs to no one but God alone.

Lord, King of Peace, shine Your truth into the hearts of Israel and Palestine so that they may set their hearts and minds on the eternal Kingdom of God. May the day come quickly when peace and love overflow in Zion in the name of Jesus.

Lord, You prayed for shalom to come upon Jerusalem. May both Israel and Palestine, who are enemies surrounding Jerusalem, proclaim in faith that only Jesus Christ our Lord can bring true shalom.

Through the prayers of the global church, may You pour out Your grace on Israel and Palestine, do good to Zion, and let Your mercy and protection always rest on Jerusalem.

And so, until all nations return to You, may Israel and Palestine rise as the last disciples who will serve and long for the final revival!