Israeli citizen kills one in shooting rampage across central Israel before being fatally shot by police
A Palestinian man with Israeli citizenship carried out a shooting attack across multiple locations in central Israel on Sunday, killing one person and injuring five others before being fatally shot by police. Authorities initially feared the shootings could be part of a coordinated assault involving multiple attackers, but investigators later concluded the violence was carried out by a lone gunman with assistance from an accomplice.
The first reports of gunfire came at around 10:30 a.m. from a gas station near Kokhav Yair, a town located near the boundary with the West Bank. Additional shootings were reported shortly afterward in Tsur Natan, Tsur Yitzhak, and near the Israeli settlement of Sal’it in the West Bank. The rapid succession of attacks across several locations triggered a large-scale security response.
Police later arrested a second suspect believed to have been involved in the attack. During the arrest, the suspect allegedly attempted to stab officers with a glass bottle, though no injuries were reported. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
According to reports, the gunman remained inside his vehicle while carrying out the attacks, allowing him to move quickly between locations within a matter of minutes.
A 35-year-old Israeli man was killed in Kokhav Yair. Five other people were wounded, including two who suffered severe injuries and three who were moderately injured. In the confusion following the attacks, emergency responders initially reported a higher number of injured victims before revising the total.
The shootings prompted authorities to order residents in the affected areas to remain indoors. Schools were placed on lockdown, with children kept inside for several hours while security forces searched for suspects and secured the area.
Local officials said the attacks created widespread fear among residents. Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks, many communities near the West Bank have focused on preparing for the possibility of infiltrations from outside Israel. The discovery that the attacker was an Israeli citizen surprised many local leaders and residents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised security personnel for their swift response to the attacks. Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also commended law enforcement officers, saying their actions prevented further casualties. Ben-Gvir reiterated his support for aggressive measures against terrorists and highlighted legislation supporting harsher penalties for terrorism-related offenses.
The incident comes amid continued tensions in Israel and the West Bank, where violence has remained elevated since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Security concerns across the region have intensified as the conflict continues, with both Israeli and Palestinian communities facing ongoing instability and periodic outbreaks of violence.
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