Terror attack in the heart of Tel Aviv – multiple casualties in Dizengoff – two dead
Arab terrorists shot and killed two Israelis and wounded several in the heart of Tel Aviv on Thursday, the fourth deadly terror attack in a major Israeli city in two weeks.
Following a pursuit by security forces, the terrorist who carried out last night’s shooting in Tel Aviv has been located and neutralized, today.
The terrorist, a Palestinian from Judea and Samaria, was located by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) hiding near a mosque in Jaffa, and was killed in an exchange of fire with ISA agents and Israel National Counter-Terrorism Unit officers; none of our forces was wounded.
The investigation of the terrorist attack is ongoing.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMS personnel as well as members of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit (PCRU) were dispatched to Dizengoff Street moments ago as a shooting incident took place in multiple locations. EMTs and paramedics from the organization at the scene were treating patients for injuries of various degrees and the PCRU team treated numerous eye-witnesses who suffered emotional shock and trauma as a result of seeing the shooting.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Akiva Kauffman, who was one of the first responders at the scene at Dizengoff Street reported, “There were a number of very serious scenes in which attacks took place. I treated and transported one person who was in serious condition in one of United Hatzalah’s ambulances to the hospital. Additional injured people were transported in other ambulances both from United Hatzalah and other ambulance companies. Additionally, the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit responded to the incident and treated numerous people who suffered emotional shock and trauma due to having witnessed the shootings.”
A Magen David Adom spokesperson reported: “Update on shooting attack in Tel Aviv: MDA medics and paramedics provided medical treatment and evacuated 9 wounded to the Ichilov Hospital, Sheba in Tel Hashomer, and Wolfson.
Two men in their 30s were evacuated to Ichilov Hospital during resuscitation operations and after the doctors’ efforts, their deaths were confirmed.
Three seriously injured, including a 38-year-old man, a 28-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were evacuated to Ichilov Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Four lightly wounded were evacuated to hospitals, including a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound to Sheba
Hospital in Tel Hashomer, a 30-year-old wounded man with a gunshot wound to Ichilov Hospital and 2 to Wolfson Hospital with limb injuries (no gunshot wounds).
Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror organizations welcomed the attack
Ichilov Hospital: “Unfortunately the deaths of two were determined upon their arrival here. 4 more are in very serious condition, two more are in moderate condition, and in light condition”
Beyond the police counter-terrorism units, the IDF has deployed its Special Forces in the heart of Tel Aviv
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said: “It has been a very difficult night. I send my condolences to the families of those who were murdered and I pray for the complete recovery of the wounded.
Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorist who carried out the murderous rampage tonight in Tel Aviv.
Wherever the terrorist is – we will get to him. And everyone who helped him indirectly or directly – will pay a price.”
AAP reports:
The bar scene Photo: TPS
Amichai Eshed, the Tel Aviv police commander, said the shooter opened fire at a packed bar about 9pm and then fled the scene.
“Our working assumption is that he is still in the vicinity,” he told reporters.
“There are indications pointing to this being a terrorist attack, but I have to be very delicate about this, and say that we are also checking other leads.”
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said two men were killed. Another seven people were wounded, three of them seriously, it said.
The shooting took place on Dizengoff Street, a central thoroughfare that has seen other attacks over the years. In the most recent, an Arab citizen of Israel shot and killed two Israelis and wounded several others on the street in January 2016.
Thursday’s attack took place at the start of the Israeli weekend in the popular nightlife area. Medics described scenes of panic, with dozens of people fleeing after the shots rang out.
Tensions have been high after a series of attacks by Palestinian assailants killed 11 people just ahead of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, which began nearly a week ago.
Last year, protests and clashes in Jerusalem during Ramadan ignited an 11-day Gaza war.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “The Australian Jewish community stands united in its horror and outrage. These attacks do more than orphan children and devastate families. They are aimed at the heart and soul of Israel. They are designed to spread hatred and fear. They are designed to weaken Israel, and undermine the Jewish connection to our homeland. But they will not. Even as they break our hearts, these attacks make our resolve stronger, and they make Israel stronger.”
Mr Leibler continued “Israel’s pain is exacerbated by the scenes of celebration on Palestinian streets. They make Israelis question Palestinian intentions and fear that the conflict will never be resolved. We unequivocally condemn these celebrations and call on all people who desire peace to do the same.
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council’s Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein added: “We are appalled and saddened by this latest barbaric attack on innocent Israelis going about their lives. This again demonstrates the need for the stringent Israeli security measures that misguided critics are so eager to witlessly condemn.
Also disturbing are reports once again of congratulatory statements issued by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both proxies of Iran, and of Palestinians celebrating in the streets. Terror attacks such as the recent spate don’t happen in a vacuum – they are a result of all-pervasive, systemic incitement to hatred against Israel by the terror groups and even by the Palestinian Authority itself.
If the West really wishes to see these attacks cease, it needs to take concrete and effective action against this ongoing incitement.
AIJAC sends its condolences to the families and friends of those murdered, and wishes the wounded a speedy recovery and Israel’s security services every success in preventing any further such outrages.”
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