Victims of Hadera terror shooting named
Two 19-year-old border police officers were killed by a pair of terrorists at a bus stop in the northern Israel city on Sunday
The two victims of Sunday night’s terror attack in Hadera, northern Israel have been named as border police officers Sergeant Yezen Falah and Corporal Shirel Abukarat, both aged 19.
They were killed by a pair of gunmen, who opened fire at a bus stop, injuring another six people. It was the second terrorist attack in Israel in less than a week, following last Tuesday’s stabbing attack in Beersheva which left four people dead.
The Islamic State terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack in Hadera, which was perpetrated by two Israeli citizens from the city of Umm el Fahm.
הלב נשבר ממותם של לוחמי מג״ב שיראל אבוקרט ז״ל ויזן פלאח ז״ל, שנפלו כשהגנו בגופם על אזרחים מפני רוצחים שפלים.
לא נשכח את גבורתם.
אני מאחל רפואה שלמה לפצועים ושולח את תנחומיי העמוקים למשפחות. >> pic.twitter.com/ammtFrggr6
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) March 28, 2022
In a statement, the Israel Police said it “bows its head in memory” of the two officers
The police said Falah, a resident of the Druze village of Kisra-Sumei, enlisted in the Border Police about a year ago and served in the MG Company at the Judea and Samaria Border Police. He left behind parents and two sisters.
Abukarat, from Netanya, joined the Border Police about six months ago and served in the MG Company at the Judea and Samaria Border Police. She is survived by her parents and a brother.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned Israeli citizens to remain vigilant while the security services react to the changing situation.
“The second terrorist attack inside Israel by Islamic State supporters requires the security forces to adjust quickly to the new threat, and we will do so,” Bennet said. “I call on citizens to continue being alert. Together we will defeat this enemy as well
“The heart breaks over the deaths of Border Police officers Shirel Abukarat and Yezen Falah who fell defending civilians from abhorrent murderers. We will not forget their heroism. I wish a full recovery to the wounded and send my heartfelt condolences to the families.”
???? UPDATE: HADERA SHOOTING
MDA EMTs & Paramedics are treating and conveying 4 patients.
2 others are being treated in the field, as well as the two terrorists.
Several people are being treated for shock. pic.twitter.com/pzdtr47UoK
— Magen David Adom (@Mdais) March 27, 2022
The attack came as the foreign ministers of four Arab countries convened in the Negev town of Sde Boker for an historic summit.
The foreign ministers of the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain and Egypt were joined by US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid at the Negev Summit.
On Sunday evening Lapid updated the Foreign Ministers on the details of the terror attack in Hadera.
All the Foreign Ministers condemned the attack and asked to send their condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for the recovery of the wounded.
In a statement Lapid said: “Tonight’s heinous terror attack is an attempt by violent extremists to terrorize and to damage the fabric of life here. I send my condolences to the families of the murdered, and my wishes for recovery to the wounded.”
“The State of Israel will uncompromisingly fight terrorism, and we will resolutely stand together with our allies against anyone who tries to harm us.”
Giving details of the attack, Israel police said: “At around 20:30, two terrorists arrived in a vehicle on Herbert Samuel Street in Hadera and opened fire on passers-by. As a result of the shooting, two people were killed and two others were seriously and lightly injured.
“At the beginning of the attack, a border police undercover force located the terrorists nearby, sought contact, opened fire on them and neutralized them. As a result of the exchange of fire, two of the undercover officers were moderately injured.
“Large police forces arrived at the scene of the incident and began investigating and collecting findings along with the General Security Service. Coastal District Commander, Superintendent Yoram Sofer, there is an assessment of the situation in the arena and a discount on the thickening of the ongoing security systems throughout the district.”
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