A Hamas spokesman has claimed credit for the attack, saying that the shooter, Fadi Abu Shehadam, a resident of East Jerusalem, was one of the group's leaders based in the Shuafat refugee camp.
According to Haaretz, Minister for Public security Omer Bar-Lev attended the site of the attack and confirmed that the man was a member of Hamas and said that the attacker was disguised as an orthodox Jew.
Speaking to reporters, Jerusalem Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said that the attack was still under investigation but currently the assumption was that the gunman acted alone.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, saying in a tweet:"I share the grief of the family of the murdered and ask to join the prayer for the healing of the wounded, in the severe shooting attack that took place this morning in the Old City. There was a very swift action of our forces, the policemen who were at the scene very quickly neutralized the terrorist."
The spokesman for Hamas in Jerusalem said that Israelis could expect more similar attacks due to "attempts to harm Al-Aqsa mosque."
Islamic Jihad described the attack as "a natural response to the crimes of the settlers and the army and the deepening of the occupation."
The Board of Deputies said in a statement on Twitter: “We are horrified by Hamas’ latest terrorist attack in Jerusalem. The UK’s decision to proscribe all of Hamas as a terrorist group is vindicated by murderous actions such as these. May the memory of the victim be a blessing and we wish a swift recovery to those injured.”
