Israeli media reported that the military raided the home of the shooter early Wednesday morning and detained several relatives in connection with its investigation into the attack.
It was the third attack of this kind before Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that begins on April 2. Christians observe Easter, while Jews observe Passover in April. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of more violence after the attacks by two Palestinian Israeli citizens who were inspired ISIS.
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 planned or if the attackers carried out their actions alone. The Israeli military said it would send 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 stopping a moving vehicle to shoot the driver. Another video showed him following a cyclist with his gun jamming as 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. Police confirmed that one of the victims was a cop who arrived on the scene and confronted the shooter. Police said that two other victims were also foreign citizens of Ukraine.
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” operation but did not claim responsibility.
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 complicating these efforts.
Two young police officers were shot and killed by gunmen on Sunday in Hadera. Last week, four people were killed in an attack by a single assailant in Beersheba.
On Tuesday, Israeli security forces raided the homes and businesses of at least 12 Arab citizens. Two of them were arrested for having ISIS connections.
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 two attacks were carried out by ISIS.
All the attacks occurred just before Ramadan which starts later this week. Israel hosted an important meeting this week between four Arab foreign ministers and the United States.
The killings were condemned by all four Arab countries – Egypt and Morocco, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Ramadan begins Saturday.
ISIS attacks on Israel are deadly, as well as attacks by Arab citizens.
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. ISIS has attacked Israeli troops and has other branches in Afghanistan.
