BREAKING

EMS personnel treat injured persons in Haifa stabbing attack.
Photo used under section 27A of the copyright law.

A stabbing attack at the HaMifratz Central Bus Station in Haifa killed one and injured four earlier today.

Four people were reported injured in the initial Magen David Adom (MDA) report, two of them in critical condition, two in serious condition. According to Israel Police, the terrorist was killed.

A spokesperson for United Hatzalah (an emergency medical service) in the Northern District said, “The medical teams of United Hatzalah are currently providing first aid at the scene of an unusual incident on Histadrut Boulevard in Haifa.”

A police spokesperson said that Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Danny Levy is currently on his way to the scene of the incident in Haifa, “This is a stabbing attack, police forces are at the scene, a terrorist was neutralized and killed.”

Later, MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller updated the number of people wounded to five: one in critical condition, three seriously wounded, and one moderately wounded. Heller said that MDA teams evacuated them to Rambam Hospital in the city.

An eyewitness who was on the bus the terrorist was traveling on told Walla news, “The terrorist arrived by bus north of the Shfar’am station. On the main road (Route 79) he got off the bus and boarded bus number 167. He got off at the bay central station, shouted “Allahu Akbar” and started stabbing people who were on the platform. Security guards shot him.”

Shortly after arrival at the hospital, medics declared the death of a man about 70 years old, who had been injured in the attack. Authorities later revealed his identity as 70-year-old Hassan Karim Dahamsheh from Kafr Kana.

The terrorist was identified as Yitro Shahin, 20, a Druze citizen of Israel from Shfar’am, who returned to Israel a week ago after spending several months abroad. Shahin was killed a bus station security guard and an armed passerby. He arrived at the station by bus and authorities said some of those injured in the attack are also Druze.

Shfar’am Mayor Nahad Hazem told the Kan public broadcaster that two of those injured were from his city, including a family member of his own staff.

“It is a heinous crime, and I completely condemn it,” Hazem said.

MK Hamed Amar, a Druze Knesset member (MK) from Shfar’am, who belongs to the right-wing Yisrael Beytenu party, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, said the attack did not represent the Druze community.

Amar called the suspect a “terrorist with German citizenship who was born and lived in Germany.”

“Such an act of terrorism is contrary to every moral and human value and certainly does not reflect the loyal spirit of the Druze community in Israel, which is a full partner in defending the state and its values,” Amar stated.

The head of the Druze community, Sheikh Mufaq Tarif condemned the attack, and asked people not to draw conclusions too quickly.

“We strongly condemn the incident that took place this morning and my condolences to the family of the murdered man. Before drawing conclusions, it is important to wait for the facts to be thoroughly clarified and the investigation exhausted by the security forces: the background, origin, circumstances and the severe mental illness from which he suffered.”

Medical staff continue to provide medical treatment for 4 injured people at the Rambam Hospital, including 3 seriously injured, a man and a woman about 30 years old and a boy about 15 years old, and a woman about 70 years old in moderate condition.

Read More