Two Israelis killed, one critically wounded, in Jordan Valley shooting

Two Israeli women have been killed and another left critically wounded in a shooting in the occupied West Bank's Jordan Valley.

The Zaka emergency service and local officials said the incident took place near the illegal Israeli settlement of Hamra, according to Times of Israel.

Medics took a wounded 45-year-old woman by helicopter to Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem, the Magen David Adom ambulance service said.

Israeli military sources told local media that troops were searching for suspects, who opened fire on the victims' car, causing it to crash.

Although there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, it comes in the wake of a series of rocket attacks launched from Lebanon and Gaza and subsequent bombing raids by Israel in response.

The rockets themselves came in response to violent Israeli raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, which saw Israeli forces beating and arresting worshippers during Ramadan.

Since the beginning of 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 92 Palestinians in what the Palestinian health ministry has described as the deadliest start to a year since 2000. 

Palestinians have killed at least 16 Israelis in the same period.

Following Friday's shooting, Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai called on licensed gun owners to start carrying their weapons.

“This is a murderous attack that reminds us how relevant the threat of hostile activity is,” he said.