JERUSALEM (AP) — On Friday afternoon, a Palestinian attacker executed a violent assault in northern Israel, using his vehicle to ram into civilians before perpetrating a stabbing. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals, identified as Aviv Maor, a teenager, and 68-year-old Shimshon Mordechai. Several others were injured during the rampage, prompting an immediate response from Israeli authorities.
The attack commenced in Beit Shean, where the assailant drove his car into a crowd, fatally injuring one man and wounding a teenage boy. After the car attack, he fled to a nearby highway where he stabbed a young woman and injured another individual near the city of Afula. The assailant was eventually shot and wounded by police in Afula and was later taken to a hospital; his medical condition was unspecified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences over the brutal attack and emphasized the need for enhanced security measures in the region. President Isaac Herzog described the incident as a “horrific killing spree,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensure the safety of residents in the area.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Israeli military swiftly conducted operations targeting the hometown of the assailant, Qabatiya, located in the occupied West Bank. Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered troops to take immediate and forceful action against what he referred to as “terrorist infrastructure” within the town. Military operations included conducting searches at the attacker’s residence and preparations for demolishing his home.
Roads surrounding Qabatiya were blocked, and a heightened military presence was reported as soldiers conducted searches within the community. Mayor Ahmad Zakarneh noted that residents were stockpiling supplies in response to the military operation. Israeli officials maintain that such military actions are necessary for locating militant infrastructure and preventing future assaults, despite human rights groups condemning these practices as collective punishment.
Raids in the Qabatiya area have been commonplace amid rising tensions, especially following the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, which resulted in severe casualties on both sides and escalated violence throughout Israel and the West Bank. This surge in violence included attacks by Palestinian militants and retaliatory actions against Palestinians by Israeli settlers. Recently, in September, a shooting at a bus stop in Jerusalem claimed the lives of six individuals, further highlighting the ongoing conflict.
In a separate diplomatic development, Israel officially recognized Somaliland on the same day, marking it as the first country to do so. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over three decades ago, has not been recognized internationally until now. The move raised questions regarding Israel’s motivations and potential diplomatic implications, particularly in a volatile region.
The recognition of Somaliland has prompted a strong reaction from Egypt, which stated its opposition to Israel's action, emphasizing its support for Somalia’s territorial unity and sovereignty. Concurrently, ongoing discussions related to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict highlighted the complexities of territorial and humanitarian considerations involving Palestinians.
These recent events illustrate the dire security situation and the ongoing conflict in the region, interconnected with broader diplomatic efforts and humanitarian concerns.
