A heroic citizen who confronted two Hamas terrorists at a bus stop in Jerusalem died of his injuries after being accidentally shot by IDF reservists on November 30.
Yuval Doron Kestelman would have celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday, but died of his injuries overnight in hospital.
Traffic cameras captured the dramatic moment he jumped over a median and fired at two Hamas attackers as they opened fire in an attack that left four people dead, including a pregnant teacher.
Eight people were also wounded in the shooting of two terrorist brothers in Jerusalem.
The clip shows Yuval, who as a former soldier was allowed to carry a gun, ran up to the pair and shot them as they attacked commuters in East Jerusalem on Thursday.
He is then seen furiously ripping open his shirt and falling to his knees as bullets hit around him, before the footage suddenly stops.
Additional photos from the crime scene show him lying motionless on the ground as paramedics rushed to the scene.
Civilian Yuval Doron Kestelman, who attacked two armed Hamas men at a bus stop in Jerusalem, died of his injuries after being accidentally shot by IDF reservists. A video shows him standing in the middle of the street and pleading not to shoot. After his heroic act against the terrorists, he is then shot by the reservists
Yuval Doron Kestelman (pictured) was accidentally shot by the IDF, who believed him to be a terrorist
The gunmen may run to the crowd at the bus stop in Jerusalem before the shooting
People fled the bus stop as the gunmen fired indiscriminately at the crowd. Citizen Yuval Doron Kestelman runs across the street to the couple who shot at them when they attacked commuters on Thursday.
Israeli officials work at the scene of a violent incident in Jerusalem on November 30, 2023
Armed Israeli police officers guard the site of a violent incident in Jerusalem on November 30, 2023
A family member told Israeli media: “Yuval noticed the attack across the street while driving to work at the government complex and stopped his car to neutralize the terrorists.”
“He has served in the security forces in the past and has always been a hero and the first to jump in and save lives, just like this time.”
READ MORE: Hamas claims responsibility for horrific shooting in Jerusalem that left four people dead, including a pregnant teacher, and calls for an “escalation of resistance” that injured two IDF troops
Officials said two reservists saw what happened, rushed to the scene and accidentally opened fire, thinking he was a terrorist.
Local media identified the victims as student teacher Livya Dickman (24), who was recently married and believed to be pregnant, teacher Hanna Ifergan (67) and Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman.
Frightened bystanders ran for cover as brothers Murad and Ebrahim Nemer, aged 38 and 30, jumped out of a car at a bus stop in East Jerusalem, shortly after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was extended for another day.
Chief Inspector Doron Turgeman, commander of the Jerusalem police district where the shooting took place, said: “This incident involved two terrorists who shot civilians after arriving in a vehicle.
“One had an M16 machine gun and the other had a pistol, both were residents of East Jerusalem.
“A soldier and an armed civilian neutralized the terrorists.”
Moshe Leon, mayor of Jerusalem, said: “This is a very serious attack. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
“The quick response of the citizen and soldier who arrived on the scene prevented a much bigger disaster.”
“I have ordered an increase in police presence in the city to give residents a sense of security.”
A few hours later, Israeli television broadcast Livya’s funeral, and hundreds gathered to pay their last respects.
Among them was her husband Meir, who said: “You were so righteous and pure, you only wanted to do good.”
Officials said both men were Hamas operatives and had been in prison in recent years.
Israeli rescuers place the body of a victim on a stretcher at the scene of a shooting in Jerusalem near the Jewish settlement of Ramot on November 30, 2023, where nine victims were reported.
The weapons used in the shooting can be seen in this image provided by Israeli police
Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman (73) was one of the victims of the attack on Jerusalem
The body of rabbinical judge Elimelech Wasserman, who was killed in a shooting at a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem, will be buried before his funeral on November 30, 2023.
Israeli police later searched the two men’s homes in East Jerusalem and took their relatives in for questioning.
Eight injured people were taken to hospital, while an ambulance spokesman told the Mail that “two, a man and a woman in their 60s, were in a critical condition”.
Several other people were treated at the scene for panic attacks and Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement, calling the brothers “jihadi martyrs”.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
