Four killed in terrorist attack in Beersheva

Four people were killed and another two wounded in a terror attack in the southern Israel city of Beersheva on Tuesday afternoon.

Police say the attacker stabbed a woman at a petrol station then got in his car and ran over a cyclist before getting out and stabbing a man and a woman outside a shopping centre.

As he attempted to attack another man, the suspected terrorist was shot and killed by a passerby.

The terrorist was named as Muhammad Alab Ahmed abu Alkiyan, a 34-year-old Bedouin Israeli from the town of Hura who has served time in Israeli prison in the past, the Jerusalem Post reported.

According to the Jerusalem Post Alkiyan was arrested in 2015, along with a number of other suspects, for supporting and promoting ISIS to students at a school he taught at.

Prime Minister expressed his condolences and said he is consulting with Internal Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev on the situation.

“I send my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the deadly attack in Beersheva and pray for the well-being of the wounded,” Bennet wrote in a tweet.

“I have now conducted a situation assessment and consultation with the Minister of Internal Security and the Commissioner of Police following the attack. ”

Bennet also commended the passer by who shot the suspect.

“The civilians who shot the terrorist showed resourcefulness and courage and prevented further casualties,” Bennet wrote. “Security forces are on high alert. We will work hard against terrorist operations.”

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked described it as a “terrible attack,” saying her “heart is crying.”

In a Twitter post, Shaked wrote: “A vile and subhuman terrorist murdered innocent people. I join in the grief of the families and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.”

Shaked also paid tribute to “the brave citizens who prevented the murder of other people,” saying they deserve to be recognised for their actions.

A Magen David Adom spokesman confirmed the emergency service had been called to the scene of the attack at 4:15pm on Tuesday.

In a tweet, the spokesman said: “A report was received in MDA’s Negev Region at 16.15 of a number of people injured on Derech Hevron and Yitzhak Nafha Streets in Beersheva.

“Paramedics are currently treating and conveying a number of injured to Soroka hospital.”

This was the third stabbing attack in Israel this week, after a 35-year-old man was stabbed and lightly wounded in Jerusalem on Saturday and two policeman were lightly injured when they were stabbed in east Jerusalem on Sunday.