A hero civilian who tackled two Hamas terrorists at a bus stop in Jerusalem has died from his injuries after being mistakenly shot by IDF reservists on November 30.
Yuval Doron Kestelman, should have been celebrating his 38th birthday on Friday but died overnight in hospital from his injuries.
Traffic cameras caught the dramatic moment he leapt over a central reservation and fired on two Hamas attackers as they opened fire in a spree that left four dead, including a pregnant teacher.
Eight people were also wounded in the shooting carried out by two terrorist brothers in Jerusalem.
The clip shows how Yuval, who as a former soldier was allowed to carry a gun, ran towards the pair firing at them as they attacked commuters in East Jerusalem on Thursday.
He is then seen frantically pulling open his shirt and falling to his knees as bullets ping around him before the footage suddenly stops.
Further pictures from the scene later show him lying on the floor motionless as paramedics raced to the scene.
Yuval Doron Kestelman (pictured) was mistakenly shot by the IDF who mistook him for a terrorist
Israeli officials work at the scene of a violent incident in Jerusalem November 30, 2023
Israeli armed police stand guard at the scene of a violent incident in Jerusalem November 30, 2023
A family member told Israeli media: ‘Yuval noticed the attack from the opposite side of the road as he was driving to work at the government complex, and stopped his car to neutralize the terrorists.
‘He served in the security forces in the past, and was always a hero, and the first to jump in and save lives, just like this time.’
Officials said two reservists had seen what was happening and rushed to the scene and mistakenly fired thinking he was a terrorist.
Local media identified the victims as student teacher Livya Dickman, 24, who had recently got married and was said to be pregnant, teacher Hanna Ifergan, 67 and rabbi Elimelech Wasserman.
Terrified onlookers dived for cover as brothers Murad and Ebrahim Nemer, aged 38 and 30, leapt out of a car at a bus stop in East Jerusalem just after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was extended for another day.
Superintendent 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 a pistol, they were both residents of East Jerusalem.
‘A soldier and an armed civilian neutralized the terrorists.’
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon said: ‘This is a very serious attack. I offer my condolences to the families of the dead and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
‘The quick response of the citizen and the soldier who arrived at the scene prevented a much greater disaster.
‘I have ordered the increase of the police presence in the city to ensure a sense of security among the residents.’
Israeli TV broadcast Livya’s funeral on TV a few hours later and hundreds had gathered to pay their respects.,
Among them was her husband Meir who said: ‘You were so righteous and pure, you only wanted to do good.’
Officials said both of the men were Hamas operatives and had served time in prison during the last few years.
Israeli rescuers place the body of a victim on a gurney at the site of a shooting in Jerusalem near the Jewish settlement of Ramot with nine casualties reported, on November 30, 2023
The weapons used in the shooting are seen in this image provided by Israeli police
Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 73, was one of those killed in the Jerusalem attack
The body of rabbinical judge, Elimelech Wasserman, who was killed in a shooting attack at a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem, is placed ahead of his funeral on November 30, 2023
Israeli police later raided the homes of the two men in east Jerusalem and took away members of their families for questioning.
Eight injured were taken to hospital with an ambulance spokesperson telling the Mail that ‘two, a male and female in their 60s, were in a critical condition’.
Several other people were treated at the scene for panic attacks and in a statement Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks and called the brothers ‘jihad-waging martyrs’.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk