Terror Attack in Northern Israel: Two Killed in Combined Stabbing and Ramming Attack

Two Israelis were killed this afternoon, Friday, in a multi-location terror attack spanning the Beit She’an and Jezreel Valley regions.

The victims have been identified as Aviv Maor hy”d, 19, from Ein Harod, and Shimshon Mordechai hy”d, 68, from Beit She’an.

The attack began following a minor traffic accident near Beit She’an. According to security reports, the terrorist—an Arab from the village of Qabatiya—fled the scene of the accident driving a vehicle belonging to his Israeli employer.

At the entrance to Kibbutz Tel Yosef, the attacker exited the vehicle and stabbed 19-year-old Aviv Maor while she was waiting at a hitchhiking post. Her parents, arriving at the scene, shared through tears: “Our daughter was just standing there waiting for a ride. The terrorist lunged at her and murdered her.”

The evil terrorist then resumed driving toward Afula, where he struck and killed 68-year-old Shimshon Mordechai in a car ramming. Police intercepted the vehicle shortly after the ramming, and the attacker was neutralized.

The terrorist was neutralized following the second attack.

Initial investigations by security officials indicate that the terrorist had been employed by an Israeli citizen at a local kibbutz for an unknown period. Authorities are currently investigating how and when the terrorist crossed into Israel and the nature of his employment.

In response to the attack, Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to take “powerful and immediate” action against the village of Qabatiya. “We must locate and thwart every terrorist and strike the terror infrastructure in the village,” Katz stated.