At least nine Israelis were injured in a carjacking and stabbing on Pinchas Rosen Street in Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon.
Images shared on social media show the assailant dead at the scene. After running over people, the terrorist got out of the vehicle and reportedly managed to stab one of the victims in the neck. A civilian at the scene shot the terrorist.
MDA paramedics quickly arrived on the scene to treat the injured, who were later transferred to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
On arrival at the scene, an MDA paramedic said that: “We arrived at the scene with a large force of MDA intensive care vehicles and ambulances. We saw that it was very serious, and close to “at a bus stop there were 5 injured, including a 46-year-old woman who was lying on the pavement while she was conscious and suffering from serious trauma”.
Scenes from the terrorist attack that injured several people in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 4, 2023. (Credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Injured by the incident
Several victims were reported to be in serious condition.
Three injured people, aged 30, 66 and 76, are currently being treated for multiple injuries from the attack at Beilinson Hospital. One of the individuals, in critical condition, is being operated on for stomach and shoulder injuries. Another of the injured, also in critical condition, is being treated for a chest injury. The third person is moderately injured and is being treated for facial injuries, but does not require surgery.
5 injured people have arrived at the Ichilov trauma center. 3 are in moderate to serious condition, 1 is in mild to moderate condition and 1 is in shock. All have injuries characteristic of a vehicle attack. One of the individuals in critical condition suffered multiple injuries that required a complex multi-system intervention. She will undergo surgery at the Icholov Hospital.
In addition, an injured woman in her 70s was referred to the emergency department of the Meir Medical Center in a minor condition and is currently being treated in the orthopedic emergency department.
Scene of the violent incident in Tel Aviv on July 4, 2023. (Credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Hamas: The terrorist attack is a response to the Jenin operation
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem praised the attack, saying “The heroic attack in Tel Aviv is the first response to the occupation’s crimes against our people in Jenin.” This refers to the ongoing large-scale IDF military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin.
“The occupation will pay the price for its crimes against Jenin. We praise the heroes of our people and the fighters of Jenin.”
Israel Police Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Eshed said the terrorist was a Palestinian resident of the West Bank’s Hebron region and acted alone, according to an initial police assessment. According to reports, the terrorist, in his 20s, entered Israel on a medical permit. The Shin Bet later stated that the attacker does not have such permission.
The Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir, responds
Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene of the attack in Tel Aviv and declared: “We knew that terrorism would try to rear its head.” Ben-Gvir praised the citizen who killed the terrorist once again, noting that he had saved lives by talking to the citizen.
While speaking to the media, civilians at the site shouted at the minister with shouts of “go home, you failed” and “shame on you for dancing with the blood of the Jews”, to which he responded by calling them “leftists “. “
Other protesters outside the scene praised Ben-Gvir and issued a call to arms, chanting “Free the IDF,” as well as calling for Ben-Gvir to gain more power.
Ben-Gvir speaks at the scene of the Tel Aviv terror attack in which several Israelis were injured on July 4, 2023 (CREDIT: ISAAC MINTZ).
Israel Police Commissioner Shabtai responds
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene and stated that several more arrests related to the terrorist have been made. “The circumstances are being examined in terms of their background and motives, and I would like to commend the activity of the citizen with great courage, who was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of the slaughter of that terrorist”.
“The circumstances are being examined in terms of their background and motives, and I would like to commend the activity of the citizen with great courage, who was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of the slaughter of that terrorist”.
Kobi Shabtai
Shabtai stated that the public should be alert, predicted that attacks will increase, and thus stated that security and forces will increase as a result.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid asked everyone to “send our best wishes to those injured in the attack in Tel Aviv and to strengthen the citizens who acted to neutralize the despicable terrorist. Terror will not defeat us, we are united and strong against him.”
The civilian who shot the terrorist shares his account with Shabtai
While speaking with Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, the armed civilian who shot the terrorist responsible for the attack explained what had happened in a conversation captured by Kan Media. He claimed: “He (the terrorist) was easily taking down ten, if not more. I wanted to fire the first shot and my legs were shaking, praying that the bullet would hit because if not, I’m dead.
“I heard a ‘boom’ behind me as I was riding my motorbike, I thought it was a car accident, and then I saw someone stab someone. I thought it was a dispute between drivers, and then he left it and ran towards another. people.
“I pulled out my gun, he ran after me and others, I shot him twice and he fell. He’s a terrifying person.”
Chief ministers and Knesset members respond, referring to Jenin
Senior ministers and Knesset members have said the attack was an example of why the operation in Jenin was necessary.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement: “Our fight in Jenin is our fight in Tel Aviv. Facing a bloodthirsty enemy, who does not distinguish between right or left, religious or secular, adult or child, man or woman. Every Jew is a target for these murderers and we will fight them with an iron fist.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added: “Our enemies want to harm us in Tel Aviv, Eli and all places in the Land of Israel, and in front of them we must show unity and determination in Tel Aviv , Eli and all other places on Earth. of Israel.”
Likud MP Danny Danon wrote on Twitter: “The wave of terror requires us to increase our operations against terrorists, as our fighters are doing now in Jenin.”
Danon also veiledly criticized the Prime Minister’s decision not to convene the National Security Cabinet (NSC). “The NSC must immediately decide on decisive operations wherever terrorists emanate from. Only the treatment of the root problem and the destruction of terrorist infrastructure will stop the terrible wave of terror,” Danon wrote.
Traffic was diverted to avoid the attack, but the closed roads have now reopened.
Isaac Mintz and Eliav Breuer contributed to this report
