Shooting Rampage in Central Israel by Palestinian Citizen

A Palestinian man with Israeli citizenship carried out a shooting rampage across multiple towns in central Israel on Sunday. This led to one person’s death and wounded five others, according to police reports. The attacker was shot dead by police.

The initial volume of shooting reports caused concerns of a coordinated attack. However, police later confirmed it was the act of a lone gunman assisted by an accomplice.

Magen David Adom, a rescue service, reported the first shooting at 10:30 a.m. It occurred at a gas station near Kokhav Yair, on the Israeli side near the West Bank boundary. Further incidents followed in Tsur Natan, Tsur Yitzhak, and near the Israeli settlement of Sal’it, within the West Bank.

A second individual related to the attack was arrested later that day. During the arrest, the individual attacked police with a glass bottle but no injuries occurred. Investigations surrounding the event are ongoing.

Channel 12 reported that the shooter remained in his vehicle, enabling rapid movement between various sites. The rescue services confirmed the death of a 35-year-old Israeli man in Kokhav Yair. One of those wounded took refuge in a McDonald’s, where evidence of the incident was visible.

Overall, five people sustained injuries from the shootings. Two were in severe condition, and three faced moderate injuries. Earlier, six injuries were reported amid post-attack chaos. Authorities instructed local residents to stay indoors, and children were kept under school lockdown for at least three hours.

Regional council head Oshrit Gani Gonen expressed shock. Expecting attacks from across the boundary, the involvement of Israeli citizens was surprising. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the swift response from security forces.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the public security minister, lauded police efforts while sharing a video beside what appeared as a blurred image of the attacker. Advocating for harsh punitive measures against terrorists, Ben-Gvir has faced criticism for controversial public messages aimed at bolstering conservative support, especially ahead of legislative elections.

Tensions have escalated since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. On October 7 that year, Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent Gaza operations resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths, affecting both combatants and civilians, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.

In a related incident on Sunday, at least four Palestinians died during an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent. The strike targeted a police point in Khan Younis city. Ten others suffered injuries. The Israeli military did not comment, but past statements indicate targeting of militants posing threats to troops.