Two people were killed in a car-ramming and stabbing attack by a Palestinian man in northern Israel, police said on Friday.
Police said the suspect, a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank, said he hit a 68-year-old Israeli walking in the city of Beit She’an and then stabbed a 17-year-old female Israeli near the Ain Harod kibbutz in what police described as a “serial terrorist attack”. MDA emergency services said a 16-year-old boy was injured in the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later identified the victims as Shimshon Mordechai, 68, and Aviv Maor, 17.
A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a preliminary investigation revealed that “the terrorists are illegal immigrants who entered Israeli territory several days ago.” Police said the attackers eventually encountered civilians in the nearby city of Afula and were taken to a hospital in moderate condition.
Immediately after the incident, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz ordered an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Kabatiyah, the suspect’s hometown near Jenin. Katz said in a statement that he had directed the IDF to “take strong and immediate action to locate and disrupt all terrorists and terrorist infrastructure” in the city, adding: “Those who support terrorism or provide terrorist support or support will pay the full price.”
The Israel Defense Forces said additional forces were preparing to enter Kabatiya on Katz’s orders.
Israel’s far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said the attack showed the “urgent need” to pass a “death penalty for terrorists” bill, which the Israeli government is currently moving forward at Ben Gvir’s request. “Those who wish to launch anti-Semitic terrorist attacks must know that Israel will not allow them to continue living and will send them straight to hell,” Ben Gvir said in a statement.
Bet Sheen and Ahura are located in Israel’s northern Jezreel Valley, bordering the northern West Bank. Both have experienced deadly attacks in the past.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
