Jerusalem synagogue killing spree leaves 7 dead, 3 injured
Jan 27, 2023 18:39:43 GMT -5
Post by shalom on Jan 27, 2023 18:39:43 GMT -5
Jerusalem synagogue killing spree leaves seven dead, three injured
Netanyahu: 'I call on citizens not to take the law into their own hands, for that we have an army and police'
By GADI ZAIG, JERUSALEM POST STAFF Published: JANUARY 27, 2023 20:28
Updated: JANUARY 28, 2023 00:38
At least seven people were killed and another three injured in a terror attack at a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday evening.
The terrorist was identified as Alkam Khairi from east Jerusalem and it was reported that he had no known terror connections prior to the attack.
The 21-year-old opened fire at people leaving the Ateret Avraham synagogue after Friday night prayers.
After entering and attacking the people in the synagogue, the shooter reportedly started chasing after people who were trying to escape.
He then attempted to flee the scene by car and fired in the direction of Israel Police officers. The officers fired back and killed him.
One of the attendants of the synagogue who witnessed the attack said that the police didn't arrive at the scene for 20 minutes after the initial shots were fired, as they didn't believe the callers and thought the noise came from shots being fired in the air in nearby east Jerusalem neighborhoods.
The gun the terrorist was using at the Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting. (credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The gun the terrorist was using at the Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting. (credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
A police spokesperson, however, said that the terrorist was caught within five minutes of receiving the first call.
MDA paramedics provided treatment at the scene of the attack. United Hatzalah said that they provided treatment for dozens in a state of shock on location.
First responders pronounced five victims dead on arriving on the scene, including four men aged 60, 50, 25 and 20 and one 60-year-old woman
Five wounded were evacuated to the Hadassah-University Medical Centers Mount Scopus and Shaare Zedek. Of them, a 30-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman arrived in critical condition and were pronounced dead at the hospital, a 15-year-old boy was in moderate to serious condition, a 24-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were in moderate condition.
IDF Chief of Staff Halevi ordered the reinforcement of the Judea and Samaria Divison of the IDF, and to prepare for possible escalation scenarios in the region after a situation assessment led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
IDF forces arrested the terrorist's parents and surrounded his house in the neighborhood of A-Tur in east Jerusalem hours after the attack.
'One of the worst attacks we have known in recent years'
"This was one of the worst attacks we have known in recent years, our hearts go out to the families of the wounded and dead. We have assessed the situation and decided on some immediate actions, we will act decisively and calmly," Netanyahu said in a statement in the Jerusalem Police headquarters hours after the attack.
"The security political cabinet will convene tomorrow at the end of Shabbat. I call on citizens not to take the law into their own hands, for that we have an army and police who receive instructions from the cabinet," Netanyahu said.
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene of the incident shortly after the shooting occurred. Doron Turgeman, police chief of Jerusalem district said in response to the attack: "This is one of the hardest terror attacks we've seen in recent years... to our knowledge, this terrorist acted alone. We are continuing to scan the area."
Defense Minister Yoav Galant completed a special situation assessment with the participation of the heads of the national security services, including new IDF Chief of Staff Harzi Halevi.
"This is a serious and sad attack on Shabbat evening, targeting civilians. I am sending condolences to the families of the murdered and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The security establishment under my leadership will act hard and without compromise against terrorism and will get to all those involved in the attack," Galant said.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem also responded to the attack, saying "this operation is a response to the crime conducted by the occupation in Jenin and a natural response to the occupation's criminal actions."
The smaller militant group Islamic Jihad also praised the attack without claiming responsibility.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also arrived at the scene of the attack, where he was met with anger from the crowds on the side, who accused him of being responsible for the attack, yelling "we loved you, Itamar. We trusted you. This was on your watch."
The National Security Minister called for a reform to Israel's gun laws, saying that more citizens should be able to carry guns to defend themselves from terror attacks.
Chants of "death to terrorists" could be heard on the sidelines as Ben-Gvir attempted to speak.
At one point, chants of "death to leftists" began to pick up, although Ben-Gvir silenced them, telling them that while they could chant for the death of terrorists, wishing for the death of leftists was not acceptable.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid took to Twitter in the wake of the attack, saying: "My heart breaks in these harsh times. I send my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and a quick recovery to the injured. Terrorism must not be allowed to rear its head anywhere. These threats must be dealt with harshly."
Ra'am chairman MK Mansour Abbas responded to the terror attack, saying he "condemns and rejects any terrorist attack in which innocent civilians are murdered.
"I am convinced that this action and others like it will distance the possibility of finding a solution to the conflict and realizing the vision of peace, mutual security, partnership and tolerance in the Holy Land," he added. "I urge everyone to exercise restraint and cooperate to find a way to calm the situation and to save the lives of many people."
MDA paramedics on the scene of the attack
We saw a woman and 4 men lying on the road. They suffered gunshot wounds and had no signs of life and we had to confirm their deaths immediately," said MDA paramedic Fadi Dekidek. "Three more wounded, including a 70-year-old woman in critical condition, were evacuated to Hadassah University Medical Center in Mount Scopus.
"We are trained for this. Sadly, we cannot forget a terror attack, and we experience each one anew. There's nothing to do; this is the time to act professionally because that's the difference between life or death," Dekidek continued.
"There's nothing to do; this is the time to act professionally because that's the difference between life or death."
MDA paramedic Fadi Dekidek
Celebrations, including fireworks and guns being shot in the air, were witnessed in Jenin and other Arab towns throughout Israel in reaction to the incident. Police are searching the area for additional terrorists.
This is a developing story.
link
Netanyahu: 'I call on citizens not to take the law into their own hands, for that we have an army and police'
By GADI ZAIG, JERUSALEM POST STAFF Published: JANUARY 27, 2023 20:28
Updated: JANUARY 28, 2023 00:38
At least seven people were killed and another three injured in a terror attack at a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday evening.
The terrorist was identified as Alkam Khairi from east Jerusalem and it was reported that he had no known terror connections prior to the attack.
The 21-year-old opened fire at people leaving the Ateret Avraham synagogue after Friday night prayers.
After entering and attacking the people in the synagogue, the shooter reportedly started chasing after people who were trying to escape.
He then attempted to flee the scene by car and fired in the direction of Israel Police officers. The officers fired back and killed him.
One of the attendants of the synagogue who witnessed the attack said that the police didn't arrive at the scene for 20 minutes after the initial shots were fired, as they didn't believe the callers and thought the noise came from shots being fired in the air in nearby east Jerusalem neighborhoods.
The gun the terrorist was using at the Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting. (credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The gun the terrorist was using at the Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting. (credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
A police spokesperson, however, said that the terrorist was caught within five minutes of receiving the first call.
MDA paramedics provided treatment at the scene of the attack. United Hatzalah said that they provided treatment for dozens in a state of shock on location.
First responders pronounced five victims dead on arriving on the scene, including four men aged 60, 50, 25 and 20 and one 60-year-old woman
Five wounded were evacuated to the Hadassah-University Medical Centers Mount Scopus and Shaare Zedek. Of them, a 30-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman arrived in critical condition and were pronounced dead at the hospital, a 15-year-old boy was in moderate to serious condition, a 24-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were in moderate condition.
IDF Chief of Staff Halevi ordered the reinforcement of the Judea and Samaria Divison of the IDF, and to prepare for possible escalation scenarios in the region after a situation assessment led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
IDF forces arrested the terrorist's parents and surrounded his house in the neighborhood of A-Tur in east Jerusalem hours after the attack.
'One of the worst attacks we have known in recent years'
"This was one of the worst attacks we have known in recent years, our hearts go out to the families of the wounded and dead. We have assessed the situation and decided on some immediate actions, we will act decisively and calmly," Netanyahu said in a statement in the Jerusalem Police headquarters hours after the attack.
"The security political cabinet will convene tomorrow at the end of Shabbat. I call on citizens not to take the law into their own hands, for that we have an army and police who receive instructions from the cabinet," Netanyahu said.
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene of the incident shortly after the shooting occurred. Doron Turgeman, police chief of Jerusalem district said in response to the attack: "This is one of the hardest terror attacks we've seen in recent years... to our knowledge, this terrorist acted alone. We are continuing to scan the area."
Defense Minister Yoav Galant completed a special situation assessment with the participation of the heads of the national security services, including new IDF Chief of Staff Harzi Halevi.
"This is a serious and sad attack on Shabbat evening, targeting civilians. I am sending condolences to the families of the murdered and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The security establishment under my leadership will act hard and without compromise against terrorism and will get to all those involved in the attack," Galant said.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem also responded to the attack, saying "this operation is a response to the crime conducted by the occupation in Jenin and a natural response to the occupation's criminal actions."
The smaller militant group Islamic Jihad also praised the attack without claiming responsibility.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also arrived at the scene of the attack, where he was met with anger from the crowds on the side, who accused him of being responsible for the attack, yelling "we loved you, Itamar. We trusted you. This was on your watch."
The National Security Minister called for a reform to Israel's gun laws, saying that more citizens should be able to carry guns to defend themselves from terror attacks.
Chants of "death to terrorists" could be heard on the sidelines as Ben-Gvir attempted to speak.
At one point, chants of "death to leftists" began to pick up, although Ben-Gvir silenced them, telling them that while they could chant for the death of terrorists, wishing for the death of leftists was not acceptable.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid took to Twitter in the wake of the attack, saying: "My heart breaks in these harsh times. I send my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and a quick recovery to the injured. Terrorism must not be allowed to rear its head anywhere. These threats must be dealt with harshly."
Ra'am chairman MK Mansour Abbas responded to the terror attack, saying he "condemns and rejects any terrorist attack in which innocent civilians are murdered.
"I am convinced that this action and others like it will distance the possibility of finding a solution to the conflict and realizing the vision of peace, mutual security, partnership and tolerance in the Holy Land," he added. "I urge everyone to exercise restraint and cooperate to find a way to calm the situation and to save the lives of many people."
MDA paramedics on the scene of the attack
We saw a woman and 4 men lying on the road. They suffered gunshot wounds and had no signs of life and we had to confirm their deaths immediately," said MDA paramedic Fadi Dekidek. "Three more wounded, including a 70-year-old woman in critical condition, were evacuated to Hadassah University Medical Center in Mount Scopus.
"We are trained for this. Sadly, we cannot forget a terror attack, and we experience each one anew. There's nothing to do; this is the time to act professionally because that's the difference between life or death," Dekidek continued.
"There's nothing to do; this is the time to act professionally because that's the difference between life or death."
MDA paramedic Fadi Dekidek
Celebrations, including fireworks and guns being shot in the air, were witnessed in Jenin and other Arab towns throughout Israel in reaction to the incident. Police are searching the area for additional terrorists.
This is a developing story.
link
