IDF soldier escapes stabbing attack in Givat Ze'ev

Soldier says three individuals attempted to stab him near gas station; attackers flee after soldier loads personal weapon.

By MELANIE LIDMAN
BORDER POLICE Lod 311 (photo credit: Ben Hartman)
BORDER POLICE Lod 311
(photo credit: Ben Hartman)
An IDF soldier reported on Monday that three men had tried to stab him near a gas station in Givat Ze’ev, north of Jerusalem.
According to the soldier, the three Arabs exited their vehicle, one holding a knife. After the soldier loaded and aimed his M-16 at the three, they returned to their red Toyota and fled.
RELATED:Police: Stabbing was probably a terror attack‘Street smarts’ saved wounded victimShin Bet arrests 3 suspected in September Hebron attack
“He pointed his gun at them. As soon as that happened, they jumped into a vehicle [and] fled the scene,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Police are not treating this as an attempted kidnapping, because the individuals did not try to grab the soldier.
The soldier did not open fire. He was questioned by police so they could obtain information about the suspects.
Following the incident, police and IDF forces, including helicopter units, scoured the area for the suspects.
Police found a vehicle that matched the soldier’s description, Rosenfeld said.
On Saturday, Kristine Luken was stabbed to death, and her friend, Kay Wilson, suffered stab wounds in a forest near Beit Shemesh, about 30 km. southwest of Givat Ze’ev.
Police have not raised the security alert for the area around Jerusalem, though they are urging soldiers to be aware of their surroundings, Rosenfeld said.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.