The bus driver injured in the shooting attack on Friday at Gitai Junction near Ariel in Samaria remains in critical condition in Beilinson Hospital.
He was hit by six bullets that were fired at the bus's windshield during the shooting. He was transported to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where doctors fought for his life until his condition stabilized.
He was identified on Friday as Hassan al-Sakin, from Umm al-Fahm. He is married and a father to two young children — a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a three-month-old son. Relatives who came to the hospital spoke about the joy he experienced with the birth of his son a few months ago, saying: ''He was so happy and built a special room for him. We are just praying for his safe return to his family, and that we live in peace with no harm to anyone.''
They also mentioned: ''He is an honest man and loyal to every workplace he was part of. We didn't expect he would get hurt like this. Every day we wait for him to return to his family, especially to his wife and two children.''
The Minister of the Interior Moshe Arbel spoke with the mayor of Umm al-Fahm and inquired about Hassan's health on Friday.
"This is not the first time that terrorists have struck at Israeli Muslims. We must all, Jews and Muslims alike, fight against those who seek to destroy us. And our prayers are for the speedy recovery of all the wounded," the Minister stated.
The ISA, IDF, and Border Police raided the home of the perpetrator, Samer Hussein, shortly after the attack.
Shmuel, a young man around 20 from Karnei Shomron in Samaria, who was inside the bus during the attack, describes the terrifying moments.
"I waited for the bus at Gitai Junction for about a quarter of an hour. I boarded the bus and was lucky to sit in the middle. I heard a gunshot, immediately turned towards the shots, saw the assailant standing, and quickly ducked down. The driver was hit severely, probably along with two others. Many panicked, there were screams. We had a soldier on the bus who started shooting at the assailant, and also two soldiers at the checkpoint probably shot too. I think the event was handled properly. Some were injured by scratches, I also got scratched by glass on my hand and face. I had a real stroke of luck, if it happened a few minutes earlier, it would have ended differently."
He adds: "I will continue to hitchhike at Gitai Junction because I don't have many options. It's not like there are buses to Tel Aviv and the center. In general, it's a bit strange that in such an area the buses are not bulletproof."
"One must remember that Judea and Samaria are war zones like all others. Security here should be like anywhere else in the country. We expect the government to ensure they defeat Fatah as they did to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Security is a basic right of every person. It can't be that children and women won’t feel safe waiting on a Friday afternoon at a central bus stop in the country. Everything must be done to eliminate Fatah as they did with Hezbollah."