Northern Israel – Two people were killed in a stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel on Friday, authorities reported. Israeli police said a Palestinian attacker from the Israeli-occupied West Bank carried out the assault, first using a vehicle to strike victims and later stabbing a woman near a highway before being shot and hospitalized.

The attack occurred just a day after an Israeli army reservist, in civilian clothing, rammed a Palestinian man who was praying by the roadside in the West Bank. The reservist had previously fired shots in the area and has since been dismissed from military service. The Palestinian man was checked at a hospital and later released.

Details of Friday’s Attack

According to Israeli police and emergency services:

• The attacker first struck a 68-year-old man with his vehicle in Beisan (Beit Shean).
• He then sped onto a nearby highway, where he fatally stabbed a 20-year-old woman.
• The attacker was engaged by gunfire near Maonot Junction in Afula, following intervention from a civilian bystander, and was taken to a hospital.
• A teenage boy sustained minor injuries during the car-ramming incident.

Israeli authorities stated that the attacker had “infiltrated into Israeli territory several days ago,” highlighting ongoing concerns over security in northern Israel.

Escalating Violence in the West Bank

The attack comes amid escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including land seizures, harassment of Palestinian civilians, and frequent military raids. Since October 7, 2023:

• Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, mostly during operations by Israeli security forces and some by settlers, according to the United Nations.
• 57 Israelis have been killed in attacks attributed to Palestinian assailants.

This latest incident follows a pattern of heightened tensions and retaliatory attacks, reflecting the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Government Response

Following Friday’s attack, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to respond forcefully in Qabatiya, the town from which the assailant reportedly came. The Israeli military confirmed it is “preparing for an operation” in the area.

These attacks occur within the broader context of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict, intensifying tensions across the occupied territories and northern Israel.

Regional and Humanitarian Implications

The repeated incidents of violence, including settler attacks and cross-border incidents, have deepened insecurity in both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Observers warn that the ongoing hostilities could further destabilize the West Bank and northern Israel, particularly as retaliatory actions and military operations continue.