Three Israel Police officers were burned on Thursday morning after responding to a report of a suicidal man at a gas station near the Kiryat Bialik mall, north of Haifa.
Police said they were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a man exhibiting suicidal behavior. Upon their arrival, the suspect poured a flammable liquid on one of the officers and set him alight. Two other officers were burned while attempting to restrain the man and assist their colleague.
The suspect, a 33-year-old resident of Kiryat Motzkin, fled the scene but was apprehended following a short foot chase. Police said they would request an extension of his detention in court.
Police officer set on fire in Israel's North
Magen David Adom medics evacuated the officers to Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. One officer was listed in moderate condition with second-degree burns. The two others were in light condition.
“When I arrived at the scene, I saw a man suffering from burns to his upper body and two additional men in light condition,” said senior MDA paramedic Ibrahim Kaabiya. “Together with other MDA teams, we provided medical treatment and evacuated them to the hospital, with one in moderate condition with second-degree burns and two in light condition.”