Terrorist motive suspected in Beersheba hammer attack

Man attacks random passersby with hammer, teargas outside Beesheba municipality; police launch manhunt after suspect.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Police car in Tel Aviv at night 311 (photo credit: Yoni Cohen)
Police car in Tel Aviv at night 311
(photo credit: Yoni Cohen)
An unknown man who launched a hammer and tear gas attack outside of the Beersheba Municipality on Monday is suspected to have acted on nationalistic motives.
The individual launched the seemingly random attack on two unconnected individuals on the plaza outside the municipality, injuring one moderately and the second lightly, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told The Jerusalem Post.
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“We believe the background is nationalistic,” he said. “There is no link between the attack victims.”
Tear gas was also used during the attack, he said.
Police mobilized special patrol units, Border Police and helicopters to the scene to search for the attacker.
“We believe the attacker is still in the Beersheba area,” Rosenfeld said.