Double Fatality In Northern Israel “Rolling Terror Attack”: Beit Shean And Afula On Edge

Chronology of the Spree

The Israeli police and Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services confirmed that the violence unfolded in several stages across different locations:

• Beit Shean (The Beginning): The attack began when the assailant rammed his vehicle into a 68-year-old male pedestrian, killing him. A 16-year-old boy was also slightly injured in a separate ramming incident in the same city.
• Route 71 (The Stabbing): The suspect then sped westward along Road 71 toward Kibbutz Ein Harod. He stopped his vehicle near a bus station and fatally stabbed an 18-year-old woman who was reportedly hitchhiking.
• Maonot Junction, Afula (The Neutralization): As the attacker continued his flight toward Afula, he was intercepted near Maonot Junction. A civilian bystander opened fire, wounding the suspect and ending the spree.

“Preliminary investigation indicates this was a rolling terror attack that began in the city of Beit Shean… the suspect was ultimately engaged with gunfire near Maonot Junction in Afula.” — Official Statement, Israel Police

The Attacker and Immediate Aftermath

The suspect has been identified as a Palestinian resident from the West Bank town of Qabatiya, near Jenin.

• Hospitalization: After being shot by the civilian, the attacker was taken to HaEmek Medical Center in Afula in moderate condition.
• Border Infiltration: The IDF stated the individual had illegally infiltrated into Israeli territory several days prior to the attack.
• Presidential Reaction: President Isaac Herzog expressed “deep shock” at the “horrific killing spree” and vowed to strengthen security along the challenging border areas.

Military Response: Operation in Qabatiya

Defense Minister Israel Katz responded swiftly to the incident, framing it as a failure that would be met with significant force.

• Forceful Measures: Katz has instructed the IDF and security forces to act “forcefully and immediately” against the town of Qabatiya.
• Infrastructure Strike: The military operation aims to locate and destroy “terrorist infrastructure” and target any individuals who aided or sponsored the attacker.
• Warning: Katz warned that anyone supporting such acts would “pay the full price.”

Context of Rising Tensions

The attack occurred amid a period of intense friction in the region. Just a day prior, an Israeli military reservist in civilian clothes was caught on video ramming a Palestinian man praying on a roadside. Additionally, recent weeks have seen multiple fatal confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the West Bank.