At least five people have been killed and one person has been wounded in two shootings in B’nei Brak, a heavily Orthodox city in the Tel Aviv area.
Police reportedly view the shootings as terror attacks; the B’nei Brak shooting was reportedly committed by an unknown individual on a motorcycle. The gunman, who was shot and killed, has been identified as Dia Hamarsha, 27, a Palestinian man from the West Bank town of Ya’bad. The terrorist was working illegally for an Israeli construction site; he had previously been imprisoned for six months in 2015 over his support for a terror organization and selling weapons illegally. A second suspect has also been arrested and police are currently working to rule out that another terrorist is at large.
One of the victims has been identified as Amir Khoury, 32, an Arab-Israeli police officer who shot and killed the terrorist.
This is 32-year-old Amir Khoury, an Arab citizen of Israel and an officer in the Israeli Police, who was killed responding to tonight's terror attack in Bnei Brak.
He managed to shoot and kill the attacker before succumbing to his wounds.
May his memory be a blessing. 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/2q8LzVOcen
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) March 29, 2022
The victims of tonight's terror attack outside Tel Aviv reportedly include two local residents, two foreign workers, and one police officer.
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) March 29, 2022
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have praised the shootings; video footage and photos circulating on social media showed Palestinians handing out sweets celebrating the terror attack.
Hamas has issued a statement praising tonight's terror attack in Bnei Berak, saying it was a "natural and legitimate response to the terrorism of the occupation.." pic.twitter.com/kLUk9aNgDm
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) March 29, 2022
We are sick to our stomachs seeing this – what sort of society celebrates the murders of innocent civilians with sweets?! https://t.co/WxSgQJ6Hhe
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) March 29, 2022
Just passing out sweets in celebration of murdering 5 Israeli civilians in Palestinian cities
This is what a society that teaches children to hate Jews brings about.pic.twitter.com/QT1ltd1k0s
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) March 29, 2022
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the terror attack, saying in a statement “that the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads the situation to deteriorate. The cycle of violence shows that a comprehensive, just and stable peace is the shortest, most correct path to security and stability for both peoples.”
It is the third terror attack in Israel in a week, killing 11 Israelis.
Following the shooting, various protesters started chanting “Death to Arabs” and “revenge.”
United States Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted, “My heart goes out to the families of the victims. No one should have to endure such heartbreak.”
Just now hearing reports of another attack in Israel, this time taking the lives of innocent people in Bnei Brak. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. No one should have to endure such heartbreak.
— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) March 29, 2022
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Israel Dimiter Tzanchev similarly tweeted, “Another despicable terror attack, which claimed more innocent lives. My thoughts are with the families of the victims & injured. [The EU] unequivocally condemns such senseless violence! We stand shoulder to shoulder with in these difficult times. Violent extremism will be defeated.”
Another despicable terror attack, which claimed more innocent lives. My thoughts are with the families of the victims & injured. 🇪🇺 unequivocally condemns such senseless violence! We stand shoulder to shoulder with 🇮🇱 in these difficult times. Violent extremism will be defeated.
— Dimiter Tzantchev (@DTzantchev) March 29, 2022
Jewish groups also condemned the attack.
“Israel should take all measures, both domestically and anywhere else in the world, where this deadly trail leads to hold accountable the entire food chain of terrorism that has led to these murderous attacks,” Rabbis Marvin Hier, Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO and Founder and Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director of the Wiesenthal Center, said in a statement. “Secondly, on the eve of Ramadan, later this week, we call on all faith leaders in Israel and across the Muslim world to denounce these terror attacks, and instead, embrace the historic breakthrough of peace between Arab nations and the Jewish State.”
The European Leadership Network (ELNET) similarly said in a statement, “As terror rears its ugly head in Israel once again, ELNET condemns in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism against the innocent. These heinous attacks were carried out by nefarious terrorists, some of whom pledged allegiance to ISIS, proving that such acts of terror continue to be a threat around the world – which must stand together to root out such evil.”
As terror rears its ugly head in Israel once again, ELNET condemns in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism against the innocent.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. pic.twitter.com/5qfEpkCqBC
— ELNET (@elnetwork_eu) March 29, 2022
American Jewish Committee Managing Director of Global Affairs Avi Mayer tweeted, “Twenty years ago, during the wave of terror known as the Second Intifada, Israelis were afraid to get on buses, to sit in cafes, to send their kids to school because you never knew when and where the next attack would take place. It’s starting to feel like that again.”
Twenty years ago, during the wave of terror known as the Second Intifada, Israelis were afraid to get on buses, to sit in cafes, to send their kids to school because you never knew when and where the next attack would take place.
It's starting to feel like that again.
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) March 29, 2022
StandWithUs Israel Executive Director Michael Dickson tweeted, “Multiple Islamist terror attacks in Israel this week. Innocents slain as they shopped or walked in the street. There is NO difference between these attacks and similar terror attacks in cities around the world. Except for the reporting of them.”
Multiple Islamist terror attacks in Israel this week.
Innocents slain as they shopped or walked in the street.
There is NO difference between these attacks and similar terror attacks in cities around the world.
Except for the reporting of them.
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) March 29, 2022
This is a developing story.
