A violent confrontation aboard a bus in Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood left six people injured, including two toddlers, after a ticket inspector allegedly punched a passenger and sprayed pepper spray inside the crowded bus.

The incident occurred Sunday evening and reportedly began with a verbal confrontation between the inspector and one of the passengers. According to a report cited by B’Chadrei Charedim, the argument included a dispute over statements concerning the identity of the state and who it belongs to before rapidly escalating.

The inspector is suspected of punching the passenger during the confrontation. When other passengers attempted to intervene, he allegedly pulled out pepper spray and discharged it inside the bus.

Children and babies were among those aboard at the time, with some reportedly bursting into tears as the confrontation unfolded. Six people, including two toddlers, were affected by the pepper spray, with several suffering breathing difficulties. They were evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

A source familiar with the incident accused the inspector of becoming highly agitated, cursing those around him and acting violently, while questioning his use of pepper spray under the circumstances.

Officers from Jerusalem’s Moriah Police Station responded to the scene and arrested the inspector. Police collected testimony from passengers as part of their investigation.

The suspect was brought before the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was subsequently released under restrictive conditions. The investigation remains ongoing.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)