Eight Israelis were killed and dozens were wounded in a shooting attack at a light rail station in Jaffa on Tuesday evening.
Eight Israelis were taken to Ichilov Medical Center with at least two in critical condition with head wounds and the others moderately to seriously wounded. Twelve wounded, including a child, were transferred to the Wolfson Medical Center; five were in serious condition.
The occupation’s security forces initially believed the incident was criminal because there has been a criminal shooting in the area nearly every day recently due to a well-known criminal living nearby, according to Maariv.
“We were on the light rail when we suddenly heard gunfire from outside,” one witness said. “At first, we thought it was fireworks, but then we realized it was something much worse. There were many gunshots. We dropped to the floor, and people were crying. I saw someone bleeding on the ground.”
A nearby shop owner added, “I saw crowds of people running and shouting ‘terror attack.’ I quickly closed my shutters and locked up.”
The two attackers, Muhammad Chalaf Sahar Rajab and Hassan Muhammad Hassan Tamimi, from Hebron, were shot dead by members of a Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality security patrol unit and citizens using personal firearms, according to the police.
Chaos in Tel Aviv’s light rail
Hanan Peretz, head of the local patrol unit, praised his team’s swift response.
“They identified the gunman, took cover without hesitation, and fired at him,” he said. “It seems the attacker’s weapon malfunctioned during the shooting.”
The police and security services are continuing their investigation into the attack, which took place near the Gush Dan Light Rail’s Erlich Station.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Daniel Levy arrived at the scene, along with Tel Aviv District Commander Haim Sargrof.
“This is a difficult incident,” Sargrof said. “At around 7 p.m., we received a report that two attackers had boarded the light rail and opened fire. They injured four people, then exited the train and continued shooting at civilians on the street. A light rail security guard, two officers from the municipal Sela Unit, and police officers shot at the attackers and neutralized both of them. We know their origin and are conducting further checks with the Shin Bet.”
Source: Al-Manar English Website
