Three people were injured Thursday morning by gunfire after shots were fired towards a bulletproof bus transporting students and two cars near the Palestinian Authority Arab village of Al-Auja in the Jericho area.

Initial reports said that one person suffered serious injuries to his extremities, and two others were lightly injured by shrapnel. A later report said that three people were injured, one of them seriously.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that a 30-year-old man was seriously injured and a young man and 13-year-old boy were lightly injured.

The bus continued driving until it reached a Kibbutz Na'aran and joined up with first responders, who treated the injured and evacuated them to Hadassah Mount Scopus in Jerusalem.

It is suspected that the terrorist waited in ambush for the vehicles, fired at them, and immediately escaped the scene. The victims recalled that the terrorist was masked and stood at the side of the road wearing clothes similar to IDF uniforms, and he fired at them using a rifle.

Security forces have begun searching for the terrorists who carried out the attack, and suspect that the terrorist escaped the scene without a vehicle. The forces are searching in Al-Auja and nearby villages, aided by aircraft. Route 90 has been closed to southbound traffic from Na'aran.

Two of the wounded in the attack are activists from the far-left NGO Looking the Occupation in the Eyes who were on their way to accompany Palestinian Arab shepherds in the area.

An IDF spokesperson said, "Initial report - A report was received regarding a shooting at Route 90 adjacent to the town of Al-Auja. Details to follow."

A follow-up statement read, "Following the initial report, a terrorist fired toward a number of vehicles adjacent to the town of Al-Auja. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene, blocking off routes in the area, and are pursuing the terrorist."

MDA EMT Lital Karavani said, “We were dispatched to the entrance to Kibbutz Na'aran. We saw a vehicle with two males who stated that they were injured when passing Auja, and continued driving until they reached Kibbutz Na'aran. One casualty, a 30-year-old male was fully conscious with lower limb injuries, and the second, a 21-year old male had a gunshot wound to the leg. We provided life-saving medical treatment and evacuated them to hospital. The 30-year-old was in moderate to serious condition and the other casualty in mild condition.”

MDA EMT Uriel Reinos, who was on scene at Na'ama, said: "We arrived at the entrance to Na'ama and by the security guard's post we met a 13-year-old male with facial injuries from glass shrapnel, we provided first aid and evacuated him to Shaare Zedek Hospital in mild condition, while continuing to treat him. We were told that he was in injured while travelling in a vehicle near Auja, and they continued to Na'ama."

The Jordan Valley Regional Council said, "Three people were injured by gunfire on Route 90 near Al-Auja in the Jordan Valley Regional Council. The shots were fired towards a bulletproof bus transporting schoolchildren and towards private vehicles. The incident is being managed by security forces. Teaching staff are prepared to receive the students in the schools."

Yesha Council Chairman Shlomo Ne'eman responded: "Another attempt to massacre children, this time a despicable terrorist targeted a school bus in the Jordan Valley."

"We wish those wounded a speedy recovery and expect the security forces to quickly catch the terrorists and settle the score with them."

He continued, "We once again demand for the safety of our residents and the residents of the entire State of Israel - it's time to turn the tide. The Palestinian Authority is waging a war against us, and only action with the same force as in Gaza will eliminate all threats throughout Judea and Samaria."

"We call on the government of Israel, and its leader, on the one hand to allow the development of the communities in Judea and Samaria without restrictions, and on the other hand to go to war to eliminate this vile enemy. Jewish blood is not without worth.

"And to all those who wish us harm, we say even this morning, we will not give in to terrorism that tries to shed Jewish blood and expel us from our country. We will continue to live and develop without fear or trepidation."

The Sovereignty Movement commented on the attack: "The Jordan Valley has become a terrorist valley and a destination for weapon smuggling by Arabs. We will not go back to the days of the 'mirdafim!' (chases)"

They added: "We will settle, we will apply Israeli sovereignty, we will finally behave like owners of the land should behave."

Treating the wounded at the entrance to Na'aran
Treating the wounded at the entrance to Na'aranMDA spokesperson