Security forces are searching for the attackers who killed three Israelis and injured at least four people, two critically, in the central Israeli city of Elad, not far from Petach Tikvah. The attack on Thursday night came as celebrations for Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israel Independence Day, were winding down.
“Unfortunately, three people who we performed CPR on have been pronounced dead,” said Moshe Sa’adon, a volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah and head of Elad Hatzalah, who was one of the first emergency-service personnel on the scene. “We also treated two people in serious condition, one person in moderate condition and a number of people lightly injured.”
Also treating patients is Magen David Adom. Director general Eli Bin tweeted: “At the moment, reports indicate six victims in serious condition. Many MDA teams are at the scene treating the victims at this moment.”
One of the victims who was killed was reported as being a man in his 40s. A witness at the scene heard shouts of Allahu Akbar during the attack, according to Israeli media.
The suspects, who attacked people in the city’s central park by Ibn Gvirol Street, were believed to be armed with an ax and perhaps a firearm. With the aid of at least one helicopter, security forces are searching the area for the assailants. Elad Mayor Yisrael Porush told residents to stay inside while security forces were operating.
