Terror in Tel Aviv: At least nine wounded in stabbing, ramming attack

At least nine Israelis were wounded in a combined car-ramming and stabbing on Pinchas Rosen Street in Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon.

Footage shared on social media showed the assailant dead at the scene. After running people over, the terrorist got out of the vehicle and reportedly managed to stab one of the victims in the neck. A civilian at the scene shot the terrorist. 

MDA paramedics arrived quickly on the scene to treat the wounded, who were subsequently taken to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. 

Upon arrival at the scene, one MDA paramedic said that: "We arrived at the scene with a large force of MDA intensive care vehicles and ambulances. We saw that it was very serious, and near a bus stop there were 5 injured people, including a 46-year-old woman who was lying on the sidewalk while she was conscious and suffering from severe trauma."

Injuries from the incident

Multiple victims were reported to be in serious condition. 

Three injured individuals, aged 30, 66, and 76, are currently being treated for multiple injuries from the attack at Beilinson Hospital. One of the individuals, in critical condition, is being operated on for injuries sustained to the stomach and shoulder. Another of the injured, also in critical condition, is being operated on for chest injuries. The third individual is moderately hurt and is being treated for facial injuries, but does not need surgery.

5 injured individuals have arrived at Ichilov's trauma center. 3 are in moderate to severe condition, 1 is in mild to moderate condition, and 1 is suffering from shock. They all have injuries characteristic of a vehicular attack. One of the individuals in critical condition suffered multiple injuries requiring complex multi-system intervention. She is set to undergo surgery at Icholov Hospital. 

Additionally, an injured woman in her 70s was referred to the emergency department of the Meir Medical Center in minor condition and is currently being treated in the orthopedic emergency department.

Hamas: Terror attack is a response to Jenin operation

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem praised the attack, saying that "The heroic attack in Tel Aviv is the first response to the occupation's crimes against our people in Jenin." This is in reference to the IDF's ongoing large-scale military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. 

"The occupation will pay the price for its crimes against Jenin. We praise the heroes of our people and the fighters in Jenin."

Israel Police Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Eshed stated that the terrorist was a Palestinian resident of the Hebron region in the West Bank and acted alone, according to an initial police assessment. The terrorist, in his 20s, reportedly got into Israel with a medical permit. The Shin Bet later stated that the attacker has no such permit.

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir responds

Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene of the attack in Tel Aviv and stated, "we knew terrorism would try to raise its head." Ben-Gvir praised the citizen who killed the terrorist once again, emphasizing that he had saved lives in conversation with the citizen. 

While speaking to the media, civilians at the location called out to the minister with cries of "go home, you failed" and "shame on you for dancing on the blood of Jews," to which he responded by labeling them as "leftists."

Other demonstrators standing outside the scene praised Ben-Gvir and provided a call to arms, chanting "Unleash the IDF," in addition to calling for Ben-Gvir to obtain more power. 

Ben-Gvir speaks at scene of the Tel Aviv terror attack in which several Israelis were wounded on July 4, 2023 (CREDIT: ISAAC MINTZ).

Israel Police Commissioner Shabtai responds

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene and stated that several more arrests connected to the terrorist have been made. "Circumstances are being examined regarding his background and motive, and I would like to praise the activity of the citizen with a lot of courage, that he was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of that terrorist's killing spree."

"Circumstances are being examined regarding his background and motive, and I would like to praise the activity of the citizen with a lot of courage, that he was able to thwart the attack and prevent the continuation of that terrorist's killing spree."

Kobi Shabtai

Shabtai stated that the public should be vigilant, predicting that attacks will increase, and thus stated that security and forces will increase as a result.

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid asked everyone to "send their best wishes to the injured of the attack in Tel Aviv and to strengthen the citizens who acted to neutralize the despicable terrorist. Terror will not defeat us, we are united and strong against it."

The civilian who shot the terrorist shares his account with Shabtai 

While speaking to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, the armed civilian who shot the terrorist responsible for the attack recounted what had occurred in a conversation captured by Kan Media. He stated: "He (the terrorist) was taking down ten easily, if not more. I wanted to fire the first shot and my legs were shaking, praying that the bullet would hit because if not - I'm dead.

"I heard a 'boom' behind me while I was on the motorcycle, I thought it was a car accident, and then I saw someone stabbing someone. I thought it was a dispute between drivers, and then he left him and ran towards other people.

"I drew my gun, he ran after me and others, I shot him twice and he fell. He is a terrifying person."

Senior ministers and Knesset members respond, referencing Jenin

Senior ministers and Knesset members have said that the attack was an example of why the operation in Jenin was necessary.

"It will take a little more time to arrive at a situation where we can move everywhere, in the refugee camp or elsewhere, with a team of fighters, and not an entire brigade," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said following a situation assessment with the prime minister near the Salem crossing.

"Whoever tries to harm Israeli civilians will pay a price an we will reach him, his home, his bedroom, we will arrest him and bring him to justice", the defense minister added

National Security Minister MK Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement, "Our fight in Jenin is our fight in Tel Aviv. Facing a bloodthirsty enemy, that does not differentiate between right or left, religious or secular, adult or child, man or woman. Every Jew is a target for those murderers and we will fight them with an iron fist."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added, "Our enemies want to hurt us in Tel Aviv, Eli, and every place in the Land of Israel, and facing them we must demonstrate unity and determination in Tel Aviv, Eli, and every other place in the Land of Israel."

Likud MK Danny Danon wrote on Twitter, "The wave of terror requires that we increase our operations against the terrorists, like our fighters are doing now in Jenin."

Danon also gave veiled criticism over the prime minister's decision not to convene the National Security Cabinet (NSC). "The NSC must immediately decide on decisive operations in any place that terrorists set out from. Only treatment of the root problem and smashing the terror infrastructures will stop the terrible terror wave," Danon wrote.

Traffic was redirected to avoid the attack, but the blocked roads have now been reopened.

Isaac Mintz and Eliav Breuer contributed to this report