Revealed: Hero gunman was shot and killed when IDF reservists mistook him for a terrorist as he tried to tackle Hamas fanatics who slaughtered three people at Jerusalem bus stop
A heroic civilian who confronted two Hamas terrorists at a Jerusalem bus stop has died from his injuries after being accidentally shot by IDF reservists on November 30.
Yuval Doron Kestelman should have celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday, but died in hospital overnight from his injuries.
Traffic cameras captured the dramatic moment he jumped a central reservation and shot at two Hamas attackers as they opened fire in an attack that left four dead, including a pregnant teacher.
Eight people were also injured in the shooting by two terrorist brothers in Jerusalem.
The clip shows how Yuval, who as a former soldier was allowed to carry a gun, ran up to the pair and shot at them as they attacked commuters in east Jerusalem on Thursday.
He is then seen frantically ripping open his shirt and falling to his knees as bullets ping around him before the footage suddenly stops.
Further photos from the scene show him lying motionless on the ground as paramedics rushed to the scene.
The clip shows how Yuval, who as a former soldier was allowed to carry a gun, ran up to the pair and shot at them as they attacked commuters in east Jerusalem on Thursday. He is then seen frantically ripping open his shirt and falling to his knees as bullets ping around him before the footage suddenly stops.
Yuval Doron Kestelman (photo) was accidentally shot by the IDF, who mistook him for a terrorist
Israeli officials work at the scene of a violent incident in Jerusalem on November 30, 2023
Israeli armed police stand guard at the scene of a violent incident in Jerusalem on November 30, 2023
A family member told Israeli media: 'Yuval noticed the attack across the road 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 was always a hero, and the first to jump in and save lives, just like this time.”
Officials said two reservists saw what happened and rushed to the scene and mistakenly fired because they thought he was a terrorist.
Local media identified the victims as student teacher Livya Dickman, 24, who had recently married and was believed to be pregnant, teacher Hanna Ifergan, 67, and Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman.
Terrified onlookers took cover as brothers Murad and Ebrahim Nemer, aged 38 and 30, jumped from a car at a bus stop in east Jerusalem, just 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 a pistol, both were 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 extend my condolences to the families of the dead and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
'The quick response of the citizen and the soldier who arrived on the scene prevented a much bigger disaster.
“I have ordered an increase in police presence in the city to ensure a sense of security among residents.”
Israeli TV broadcast Livya's funeral a few hours later and hundreds 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 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, in which nine victims were reported, on November 30, 2023
The weapons used in the shooting can be seen in this image provided by Israeli police
Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 73, was among those killed in 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 placed before his funeral on November 30, 2023.
Israeli police later raided the two men's homes in East Jerusalem and took relatives for questioning.
Eight injured people were taken to hospital, while an ambulance spokesperson 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 “jihad martyrs.”