Terror in Tel Aviv: At least eight wounded in stabbing, ramming attack

At least eight Israelis were wounded in a combined car-ramming and stabbing on Pinchas Rosen Street in Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon.

Footage shared on social media showed the assailant dead at the scene. After running people over, the terrorist got out of the vehicle and reportedly managed to stab one of the victims in the neck. A civilian at the scene shot the terrorist. 

MDA paramedics arrived quickly on the scene to treat the wounded, who were subsequently taken to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. 

Police reported that three of the victims were in serious condition. 

Hamas: Terror attack is a response to Jenin operation

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem praised the attack, saying that “The heroic attack in Tel Aviv is the first response to the occupation’s crimes against our people in Jenin.” This is in reference to the IDF’s ongoing large-scale military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. 

“The occupation will pay the price for its crimes against Jenin. We praise the heroes of our people and the fighters in Jenin.”

Israel Police Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Eshed stated that the terrorist was a Palestinian resident of the Hebron region in the West Bank and acted alone, according to an initial police assessment. The terrorist, in his 20s, reportedly got into Israel with a medical permit. The Shin Bet later stated that the attacker has no such permit.

Injuries from the incident

One MDA paramedic said that: “We arrived at the scene with a large force of MDA intensive care vehicles and ambulances. We saw that it was very serious, and near a bus stop there were 5 injured people, including a 46-year-old woman who was lying on the sidewalk while she was conscious and suffering from severe trauma.”

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on Twitter that he “sends wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and a warm hug to the families. Congratulations to the brave citizen who neutralized the terrorist, prevented the continuation of the incident and saved lives. This proved once again the importance and effectiveness of citizens carrying weapons, I call on the public who are passing the tests – bring weapons.”

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene and stated that several more arrests connected to the terrorist have been made. “Circumstances are being examined regarding his background and motive, and I would like to praise the activity of the citizen with a lot of courage, that he was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of that terrorist’s killing spree.”

“Circumstances are being examined regarding his background and motive, and I would like to praise the activity of the citizen with a lot of courage, that he was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of that terrorist’s killing spree.”

Kobi Shabtai

Shabtai stated that the public should be vigilant, predicting that attacks will increase, and thus stated that security and forces will increase as a result.

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid asked everyone to “send their best wishes to the injured of the attack in Tel Aviv and to strengthen the citizens who acted to neutralize the despicable terrorist. Terror will not defeat us, we are united and strong against it.”