— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police)
April 1, 2024
Security forces responding to the attack shot and killed the terrorist, who was identified as a 19-year-old Palestinian from Dura, located near Hebron in the West Bank.
Israeli media have claimed that the man had a work permit for an industrial zone in the West Bank.
Police said the terrorist had entered Israel illegally via a hole in the security fence, and authorities were probing whether he was employed illegally at the mall.
Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the scene of the attack and urged civilians to arm themselves.
“We’re at war, and the enemy has additional motivation to harm us,” he said.
Hamas praised the “heroic operation” and urged Palestinians to “escalate” terror attacks on Israelis.
The attack came after an Israel Defense Forces officer was moderately wounded on Sunday morning in a stabbing at Beersheva’s central bus station.
The terrorist was shot and killed by another Israeli soldier who was on the scene, according to the military.
Hebrew-language media identified the attacker as Naji Abu Freh, 28, a resident of the nearby Bedouin city of Rahat.
