Six Israeli settlers wounded in drive-by shooting in West Bank

At least six Jewish settlers have been wounded in a drive-by shooting in the occupied West Bank, the army said.

The settlers were standing by a “hitch hiking station” near Ofra settlement, The Jerusalem Post reported.

One woman was in critical condition, medical officials said.

“Shots were fired from a passing Palestinian vehicle towards Israeli civilians who were standing at the bus station,” the Israeli army said. “Troops who were present nearby responded by firing towards the suspect vehicle, which fled.”

Israeli forces were still searching for the attacker, it said.

The rescue service said a 21-year-old woman was shot in her upper body and is in critical condition. The other wounded included two 16-year-old girls who were lightly hurt.

Ofra is built on lands belonging to the villages of Silwan and Ein Yabroud.

The Israeli army said the shooting was carried out from “a passing Palestinian vehicle” near settlers standing at the nearby junction.

It is the first such attack in the West Bank since November 26 when a Palestinian rammed Israeli soldiers with a car and injured three of them. The assailant in that incident was later killed by Israeli forces.

Shots were fired at Israeli civilians standing at a bus station from a passing Palestinian vehicle. IDF troops nearby responded by firing towards the vehicle, which fled. IDF troops are currently searching the area. pic.twitter.com/sQtB5kr2gz

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 9, 2018