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Two individuals have died in what police are describing as a “rolling terror attack” in northern Israel.
Authorities stated that the assailant struck a pedestrian with a vehicle in Beit Shean, located in the eastern part of the country. The attacker then proceeded to stab a woman in the vicinity of Ein Harod, approximately 8 miles (12.5km) westward. Law enforcement confirmed that a civilian ultimately shot and wounded the suspect outside the city of Afula.
Officials have identified Shimshon Mordechai, 68, as the man killed in Friday’s vehicular ramming. A 16-year-old male was also injured. The stabbing victim has been identified as Aviv Maor, 18.
The incident occurred a day after an Israeli reservist was dismissed from duty following the emergence of a video depicting him ramming a quad bike into a Palestinian man while he was praying.
According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the suspect in the attack originated from the village of Qabatiya, situated in the northern occupied West Bank.
In response to the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced preparations for an operation in the Qabatiya area. Minister Katz stated he had directed the IDF to take “forceful and immediate” action.
The IDF reported that the suspect had “infiltrated into Israeli territory several days ago”.
Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster reported that the 37-year-old suspect was working illegally in Israel and allegedly used his employer’s vehicle in the attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.
In a post on X, he also commended “the heroic citizen who neutralised the terrorist”.
This event follows a separate incident a day prior, involving an army reservist who drove a quad bike into a Palestinian man praying on a roadside in the West Bank.
Video footage shows a man, dressed in civilian attire but carrying a firearm, deliberately ramming the victim with the vehicle. Reports indicate the victim sustained no injuries.
The Israeli military confirmed that the soldier, who had reportedly discharged his weapon in a nearby village earlier, had been relieved of his duties and his firearm confiscated.
Attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have reportedly surged in the West Bank in recent years, according to the United Nations, with more than a thousand killed since the Hamas attacks on Israel of 7 October 2023 in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 abducted into Gaza.
According to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 70,600 individuals have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since that time.
Additional reporting by Tom McArthur
Police say the suspects raised around €7m (£6m) for the militant group over more than two years.
The decision has been condemned by Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti, who call it a dangerous precedent.
A bill passed by parliament expands temporary powers introduced during the Gaza war to shutter outlets seen as a security threat.
International organisations not registered by 31 December face closure in Israel, but the Israeli government says aid delivery will not be affected.
The IOPC says it can exercise its investigatory power if warranted, after its director said she was willing to launch a probe.
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