Two Killed in Multi-Stage Ramming and Stabbing in Northern Israel

Overview

• Police and the IDF said the attacker infiltrated from the West Bank days earlier and was identified as a resident of Qabatiya, with some reports naming him as Ahmad Abu al-Rub, 37.
• A passing civilian shot and wounded the suspect, who was arrested and taken to a hospital.
• The attacks in Beit Shean, Ein Harod and near Afula killed a 68-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman and lightly injured a 16-year-old boy, with officials later naming the victims as Shimshon Mordechai and Aviv Maor.
• Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered a forceful response, and the military conducted searches in Qabatiya, blocked roads and said it was preparing to demolish the suspect’s home.
• The incident comes during a prolonged surge in Israeli–Palestinian violence, including a reported case the previous day of an Israeli reservist running over a Palestinian.