3 killed as Palestinian bulldozer driver goes on killing spree in Jerusalem

VIDEO - Three women were killed and at least 30 more people were injured when a bulldozer driven by a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem trampled over pedestrians and vehicles and plowed into two buses in downtown Jerusalem at around noon Wednesday. Magen David Adom reported of casualties on Rashi, Jaffa and Sarei Yisrael streets. The driver, who reportedly had a criminal record and was the holder of an Israeli (blue) identification card, was shot dead by a SWAT officer near the old Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The terrorist was identified as 31-year-old Hossam Dawiath, a father of two from the village of Tzur Baher. Video courtesy of infolive.tv The terrorist continued on his killing spree, but a short while later a soldier and a SWAT officer jumped on top of the vehicle. The officer then shot the terrorist in the chest and leg and killed him. Jerusalem Police Chief Aharon Franco told Channel 2 "a tractor driven by a terrorist began hitting vehicles and flipped over two buses. Apparently there are casualties at the scene we don’t have an exact number as of yet. We received no prior warning of a possible attack." Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen praised the officers who shot the terrorist: "They demonstrated great determination in striving to make contact with him… the traffic officer fired at him and another officer climbed the tractor. A civilian and a SWAT officers fired at him as well. They were all very brave." Egged official Yossi Klachkes told Yet, "Two of our bus lines - 13 and 60 - were rammed by the bulldozer as they were traveling toward the Mahaneh Yehuda Market. The line 13 bus was carrying 35 passengers and the other bus had 15 people on board. The drives and some passengers were inured of suffered from shock and were evacuated to hospitals." Zion Shetreet, who witnessed the attack, told Ynet that the "tractor turned into the road very suddenly and started trampling over the cars standing in the stoplight. I started yelling for people to shoot him. I saw a security officer running out of a nearby building and aiming an Uzi at him. Car trampled by tractor (Photo: ZAKA) "The tractor was heading in the direction the Mahaneh Yehuda Market," he added. "This is something you only see in the movies. It was awful." According to Abraham Scheinberg, a ZAKA volunteer, the bulldozer was being used in the construction of the Jerusalem light tram. Following the attack, police announced they would be increasing deployment across Israel, focusing on crowded places, checkpoints and crossings. Scene of attack (Photo: Reuters) According to an assessment by the Gaza Strip organizations, as well as by sources in the Palestinian Authority, the Jerusalem attack was an independent act carried out by the driver alone However, a Hamas spokesman said Wednesday that the Jerusalem attack was "a natural reaction to Israel's aggression," adding the group did not know who was behind the attack. The Islamic Jihad issued a statement praising Wednesday's attack:"The attack is a clear message to the enemy from the person who carried it out and the entire Palestinian people, that it should expect more attacks for as long as it continues its crimes against the Palestinian people and the aggression against our people, our land and our places." Several emergency hotlines have been set following the attack: Shaare Zedek Medical Center can be reached at 1255125. Those heavy of hearing can fax to 972-2-6522950. The Jerusalem Municipality's hotline will offer Information about the people injured at the city dispatch (106) or at 972-2-5314600/1/2/3/4. The Immigrant Absorption Ministry opened another hotline, offering assistance in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Amharic. Those who wish to find out more about the attack can contact 1255021010. Meital Yasur-Beit Or, Roi Mandel, Ali waked and Ronen Medzini contributed to this report

3 killed as Palestinian bulldozer driver goes on killing spree in Jerusalem

(Video) Bulldozer driven by Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem tramples over pedestrians, cars in central Jerusalem; driver shot dead by police officer; three women killed, dozens injured in attack. Reports say two buses flipped over by tractor