View of the Israeli settlement of Eli, in the West Bank, Jan. 17, 2021.(Photo/JTA-Sraya Diamant-Flash90) News Israel Palestinian gunmen kill 4 Israelis at gas station as tensions escalate in West Bank Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas | June 20, 2023 This is a developing story. (JTA) — Palestinian gunmen killed four people and wounded four in a terror attack at a gas station near the West Bank settlement of Eli, the Israeli army reported. An Israeli civilian returning fire at the scene of the attack on Tuesday killed one of the attackers, who emerged from a vehicle, and two others fled. Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, said one of those wounded was in serious condition. The gunmen, while in the vehicle, shot at a guard post at the entry to the settlement, and then continued to the gas station which is also the site of a snack bar. A nearby yeshiva went into lockdown. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to convene a briefing with top security officials within hours of the attack. Kan reported that there were celebrations of the killing in major West Bank cities and in the Gaza Strip, initiated by terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Hamas said the shooting attack Tuesday was triggered by the Jenin raid. The shooting comes as tensions intensify in the West Bank. A day earlier, Israeli troops raiding the city of Jenin to arrest accused terrorists killed five people. The Biden administration spoke out over the weekend against Israel’s plans to build 4,000 new housing units for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also finalized plans to transfer West Bank building decisions to Bezalel Smotrich, the extremist who is the finance minister. Smotrich has said he wants to limit Palestinian building and expand settlement building. Kan reported that the dead terrorist was a resident of a village, Urif, close to Huwara, the Palestinian town where terrorists killed two Israeli brothers driving through in February. Settlers retaliated by raiding the village and burning cars and buildings. Ron Kampeas Ron Kampeas is the D.C. bureau chief at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Also On J. Food Kosher community loses food ‘oasis’ at Palo Alto JCC Fashion Watch as Oakland YouTuber recreates ancestor's Shabbat dress The Bagel Report Roasting anti-semitism, getting ‘Elemental’ and celebrating dads Astrolojew Horoscopes for Tamuz: A major shift in Jewish astrology this month Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up