Israeli media reported that the suspect gunman was a Palestinian 27-year old man hailing from Yabad, a northern West Bank city. The suspect was not immediately identified by police. There are concerns about further violence after two previous attacks by Arab citizens of Israel, inspired by the Islamic State extremist group.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared that Israel is “standing before a wave murderous Arab terrorist terrorism.” He promised to fight it “with perseverance and stubbornness, as well as an iron fist.” He called in an emergency meeting of security officials and scheduled a meeting with his Security Cabinet on Wednesday.
Israeli authorities are yet to determine whether the attacks were coordinated or if the attackers acted alone. The Israeli military declared it would deploy additional troops to the West Bank and the chief of police raised the level of national readiness to its highest.
Amateur footage broadcast on Israeli television showed the gunman wearing a black shirt and armed with an assault rifle, stopping a moving vehicle to shoot the driver. Another video showed him following a cyclist with his assault rifle, which appeared to jam when he attempted to fire.
Two shootings took place in Bnei Brak on Tuesday, an ultra-Orthodox urbanity just east of Tel Aviv. According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the gunman had an assault rifle in his possession and opened fire on passersby. He was then shot by officers.
Five people were confirmed to have been killed by the Magen David Adom paramedics service. According to police, one victim was a police officer who arrived on the scene and confronted the shooter.
Benny Gantz, Israel’s Defense Minister, tweeted that security forces would “work with all means to restore security to Israeli streets” and “feel secure to civilians”.
The attack was condemned by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President. He said that the killing of civilians in Israel or Palestine only leads to instability and further deterioration, which is what we all strive for, especially since we approach the holy month Ramadan, Christian holidays, and the Jewish holiday.
He stated that violence “confirms” that a permanent, comprehensive, and just peace is the best way to ensure security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
The attack was not immediately claimed by any Palestinian group. Hamas, an Islamist militant group, praised the “heroic action” but did not claim responsibility. The attack was celebrated in Mosques throughout the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel has taken steps to calm tensions in recent weeks and avoid a repeat last year’s clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police officers and Palestinian protestors. This led to an 11-day war between Israel & Hamas.
However, the new wave violence is making it more difficult.
Two young police officers were shot and killed by gunmen on Sunday in Hadera. Last week, four people were killed in an attack on a vehicle in Beersheba that saw a single assailant.
On Tuesday, Israeli security forces raided the homes and businesses of at least 12 Arab citizens. Two of them were arrested for allegedly being connected to the Islamic State group. This was in response to recent terrorist attacks.
Bennett stated that the recent Israeli assaults were a new situation and required increased security measures hours before the raid.
According to law enforcement officials, 31 homes and other sites were searched overnight in northern Israel by police officers. This was the same area where the gunmen responsible for the Hadera attack resided.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for both previous attacks.
All the attacks occurred just before Ramadan which starts later this week. Israel hosted a high-profile meeting between the foreign ministers from four Arab countries and the United States this week.
The killings were condemned by all four Arab countries — Egypt, Morocco and Bahrain — as well as the United States.
Ramadan will begin on Saturday.
Rarely are there any attacks by Arab citizens of Israel or IS on Israel.
It operates mostly in Iraq and Syria where it has intensified its attacks on security forces. It does not control any territory, but it operates via sleeper cells. IS has attacked Israeli troops and has branches in Afghanistan, and other countries.
