A violent incident in northern Israel resulted in the deaths of two individuals following a car-ramming and stabbing attack by a Palestinian assailant on Friday afternoon. According to Israel Police, the attacker first struck a man with his vehicle in the city of Beit Shean, killing him and injuring a teenage boy. He then proceeded to stab an 18-year-old woman on a nearby highway before being shot by a security officer while attempting to flee towards Afula.
The victims have been identified as Aviv Maor, a teenager, and Shimshon Mordechai, aged 68. Paramedics pronounced both deceased at the scene. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the “horrific killing spree,” noting Israel’s commitment to enhance security measures in the region to ensure the safety of residents.
Israeli Government Response
Following the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered military retaliation against the assailant’s hometown, Qabatiya, located in the northern West Bank. Katz stated that troops would “act forcefully and immediately” against what he described as “terrorist infrastructure” in the area. He emphasized that anyone who aids or sponsors terrorism would “pay the full price.”
Israeli military operations commonly involve launching raids in West Bank towns connected to attackers, a practice that critics label as collective punishment. Rights organizations have raised concerns about human rights violations arising from these military actions. Recent weeks have seen increased military activity in Qabatiya, particularly as tensions have escalated due to ongoing violence in the region.
Context of Rising Violence
This attack follows a broader pattern of violence linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The conflict has intensified hostility within Israel and the occupied West Bank, leading to a surge in attacks by Palestinian militants and increased violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Just a day before the incident in Beit Shean, reports indicated that an Israeli reservist in civilian clothing rammed his vehicle into a Palestinian man while he was praying on a roadside in the West Bank. Such incidents highlight the escalating tensions in the area, with September 2023 witnessing a notable uptick in violence, including a shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop that resulted in six fatalities and numerous injuries.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the recent attack on social media, characterizing the act as an assault on “innocent civilians.” He expressed concern that such intentional murders threaten both short- and long-term solutions for achieving lasting peace.
The tragic events of Friday serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing volatility in the region, with both Israeli and Palestinian communities facing increasing risks amid the rising tide of violence.
