ISRAEL First Impressions (one day in Tel Aviv)

Kara and Nate

News From Israel- May 08, 2022

ILTV Israel News

Elad terrorists caught after four-day manhunt

ANNA AHRONHEIM

Police caught the two suspects, 19-year-old As’sad al-Rafai and 20-year-old Emad Subhi Abu Shqeir, alive in a forested area in Israel.

Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai congratulating the forces that caught the two Elad terrorists, May 8, 2022. / (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Israeli security forces caught the two terrorists who carried out a deadly attack in Elad, four days after they went on a rampage in the city.

Police caught the two suspects, 19-year-old As’sad al-Rifai and 20-year-old Emad Subhi Abu Shqeir, both from Rumana in the Jenin area of the West Bank, alive in a forested area near Elad near Park Nahshonim.

Anna Ahronheim @AAhronheim

Initial reports that Israeli security forces have caught the terrorists who killed 3 civilians in Elad last week. They were caught alive

IDF has confirmed that the two were caught and have been transferred to the Shin Bet for further investigation. They were caught not far from Elad where they carried out the attack

---

They were unarmed.

In a video from the scene, al-Rifai is heard identifying himself and his accomplice Subhi Sbaihat. When asked by an officer what he was doing in the area, he answered “an operation, the Elad operation.” The officer asked what happened in the operation to which he answered “I don’t know exactly, we hit people.”

Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev commended the security forces on the arrests, saying that “we will continue to pursue with determination our enemies all the time, and everywhere, and we will reach them. “

Suspects in the Elad ax terrorist attack, 20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir (Left) and 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai (Right). (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

“I congratulate the security forces on capturing the two terrorists who committed the murder in Elad. In the last two days, the best forces in the police, the Shin Bet and the IDF have worked together to get their hands on them, and so it has happened. With determination, we seek our evil all the time, and everywhere, and we will reach them. “

Earlier in the day Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai was quoted by Ynet News as saying that “we’re in the right direction overall – we assume that the terrorists are still in the area, and activating all their resources and abilities.”

“We must be alert – its likely that they’ll do anything in their ability to carry out one last suicide attack. We’re talking about wounded beasts, going on with little food and water,” he continued, adding that “we will not rest until we get our hands on these terrorists.”

The defense establishment had been working on the assumption that the two terrorists were still in Israel. On Saturday security forces expanded the manhunt from the Elad area to Rosh Ha’ayin, as well as to Israeli Arab towns in the Wadi Ara area and in communities near the Seam Line. 

Earlier on Sunday Bar-Lev held a situational assessment with Shabtai and other senior Israel Police officials including Central District Commander Police Superintendent Avi Bitton, the head of the Operations Division Superintendent Sigal Bar-Zvi as well as representatives from the IDF and Shin Bet.

“The police forces, the IDF and the Shin have been working since the murders, and even during now, to capture the terrorists who carried out the attack in Elad,” Bar-Lev said. “At the same time, we will intensify our response and enforcement against those who lodge, drive and employ illegal residents in Israel.”

On Friday, Israel Police announced a large-scale operation to arrest Palestinians who are illegally residing in Israel. The operation, led by the Border Police, would see thousands of police officers locate and arrest Palestinians who do not have an entry permit.

There are some 150,000 Palestinians who enter Israel legally from the West Bank and according to some estimates, another 30,000 cross through holes in the West Bank fence each day to work.

---

Zawartość publikowanych artykułów i materiałów nie reprezentuje poglądów ani opinii Reunion’68,
ani też webmastera Blogu Reunion’68, chyba ze jest to wyraźnie zaznaczone.
Twoje uwagi, linki, własne artykuły lub wiadomości prześlij na adres:
webmaster@reunion68.com

---

Elad terror attack: Manhunt continues, main suspects’ identities released

ANNA AHRONHEIM

As the hunt for two terrorists who carried out a deadly terror attack in Elad continues, the police released the identities of the main suspects.

.
Suspects in the Elad ax terrorist attack, 20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir (Left) and 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai (Right). / (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Israeli security forces are continuing a large manhunt after two Palestinians killed three Israeli civilians in the city of Elad.

Police identified the two suspects 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai and 20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir, both from the Jenin area in the West Bank.  Security services released their pictures and have asked for the public’s help in locating them, indicating that the two might still be in Israeli territory.

The three victims in the deadly attack were identified as 40-year-old Yonatan Habakuk, 40-year-old Boaz Gol, and 35 year-old Oren Ben Yiftach. Together they left behind 16 children.

Seven other people were injured in the attack, one in critical condition and another in serious condition. Beilinson hospital said that a man in his 20s was still in life-threatening condition with head wounds. Another person was moderately wounded, a fourth was lightly wounded and the rest were lightly injured or suffering from shock.

According to eyewitness reports, the attack took place in several locations in Elad, with the two Palestinian suspects armed with axes and knives. The two men struck civilians on the city’s main street Ibn Gvirol and at the Elad Amphitheater Park where many families were spending the evening celebrating the end of Independence Day.

Suspects for the Elad ax terrorist attack, 20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir (Left) and 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai (Right). (credit: Israel Police/Composite image by Jerusalem Post Staff)

Following the attack, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with senior officials of the defense establishment for a situational assessment. 

Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi and decided to extend the closure that was imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip for Memorial and Independence Day until Sunday. It was also decided to reinforce troops in the West Bank even further.

The IDF has reinforced troops in the West Bank by 12 battalions for a total of 25 battalions in order to bring the current wave of violence to an end without further attacks. Last week the IDF announced the decision to recruit six reserve battalions in the coming weeks after a situational assessment.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with senior officials of the defense establishment for a situational assessment.  “Our enemies have embarked on a murderous campaign against Jews, wherever they are. Their purpose is to break our spirit but they will fail,” said Bennett on Friday morning. “We will lay our hands on the terrorists and on those who support them. And they will pay the price.”

Bennett on Independence Day: When Israel is united, we are unbeatable

JERUSALEM POST STAFF

The prime minister stressed that “the State of Israel is stronger than ever.”
.

Israeli Pm Naftali Bennett and his wife enjoy the 74th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on May 04, 2022. / (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

“74 years of statehood has taught us that when the people of Israel are united – no one can beat us,” said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the state ceremony marking the 74th Independence Day.

“Dear citizens of Israel, Independence Day is a day of great pride for all of us,” said Bennett. “National pride in what we’ve gone through together, and in what we have achieved here together.”

The prime minister pointed to the hi-tech industry, the healthcare system and the opportunities provided to the periphery, saying “thank God, Israel can provide a livelihood for anyone who is looking for one.”

Concerning the security situation, Bennett stressed that “even though our enemies do not rest for a moment from trying to harm us, the State of Israel is stronger than ever.”

“The IDF, the Shin Bet and the Mossad are intensifying at an unprecedented rate: with lasers, missiles, cyber and above all – by investing in our bold and good soldiers,” said Bennett.

Israeli Pm Naftali Bennett and his wife enjoy the 74th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on May 04, 2022. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

“As the one who bears the ultimate responsibility for Israel’s security, I can tell you clearly: Israel will overcome any threat from outside, near or far. We have built here a very thick iron wall in front of our enemies,” said the prime minister.

Bennett reiterated the message he stated on Remembrance Day, stressing that sectarianism destroyed the Jewish state in the Second Temple Period and that “a sovereign and united Jewish state has never survived here for more than 80 years.”

“Here we are in the eighth decade of the State of Israel,” said Bennett. “The decade we have never succeeded [in getting through]. This time we have another chance, a third chance for the Jewish people. This time we must, simply must succeed.”

“We must not allow hatred to capture us, to control us. We need to see each other with a good eye, to believe that the other also wants the good for the state, even if his opinion is completely different. We should all always place the good of the state above our sector, above our self-interest,” said the prime minister.