4 Israelis killed, 4 wounded in terror attack near West Bank settlement
Hamas and Islamic Jihad welcomed the terror attack. Israeli lawmakers and ministers meanwhile called on PM Netanyahu to launch a large-scale military operation in the West Bank.
Four people were killed and another four were wounded in a suspected terror attack in the West Bank on Tuesday.
The gunmen arrived by car and first opened fire at the nearby Hummus Eliyahu restaurant before targeting the gas station, according to an army assessment.
IDF said that “terrorists opened fire adjacent to a gas station in the community of Eli (settlement). One of the terrorists was neutralised at the scene. IDF soldiers are pursuing additional suspects.”
About three hours later, Shin Bet and Border Police officers found the second suspect and killed him on the spot near the Palestinian town of Tubas.
“The Toyota vehicle with which the suspect fled the scene was located and inside was a weapon that he allegedly used in the attack. During the attempt to apprehend the suspect, he tried to escape from the vehicle, was shot and neutralized by the security forces,” a joint statement said.
Israeli media reported that the terrorist who was killed on the spot at gas station was identified as 25-year-old Mohannad Falah, a member of Hamas.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said that those who harm Israelis will either end up in prison or “in the grave.”
“I would like to remind all those who seek to harm us: All options are open. We will continue to fight terrorism with full force and we will defeat it,” Netanyahu said in a video statement following the attack.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene of the attack and called on Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant to launch a military operation in the West Bank in response to the attack.
Ben-Gvir also encouraged Israeli residents in the West Bank to carry weapons. “It saves lives,” he said.
Zvi Sukkot, lawmaker from the far-right Religious Zionism party, said he was “ashamed” of being part of a coalition that doesn’t crack down on terrorism.
“We must begin a military operation (now),” he said.
Likud lawmaker Danny Danon also called on Netanyahu to launch a large-scale military operation “now. Not later.”
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, and former IDF chief and Defence Minister, said his party would “back up every correct decision of the government in the face of murderous terrorism.”
Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad welcomed the terror attack, as they do with most attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israelis.
“This is a natural response to the escalation and crimes of the occupation against the Palestinian people,” Islamic Jihad said.
Hamas was more specific in its wording, calling the attack a “swift reaction” against the “crimes of the occupation in the Jenin refugee camp and the storming of Al-Aqsa.”
Tuesday’s deadly attack came after major clashes between the IDF and Palestinians near the West Bank city of Jenin left five Palestinians killed, seven Israeli troops and another 91 Palestinians injured.
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