Israeli Police: Three Injured in Tel Aviv Shooting Attack, Gunman Killed
19:30 GMT 09.03.2023 (Updated: 21:34 GMT 09.03.2023)
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich
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Local media reported that the shooting took place on Dizengoff Street in central Tel Aviv, a popular area known for its shops and restaurant life. At the time of the shooting an anti-government protest was being held.
Three people were injured late Thursday in a shooting attack in Israel's Tel Aviv, officials have confirmed. The gunman involved in the incident has been killed.
Of the three injured individuals, one of those wounded is in critical condition, while the other two are said to be in moderate and light condition, respectively. The victims, all described as men in their 20s, were transported to the Ichilov hospital.
Reports have indicated that the victim in critical condition was shot in the neck and is undergoing emergency surgery, as the shooting victim listed in "moderate" condition suffered gunshot wounds; but it has not yet been reported where he was shot or how many times. The third victim suffered light injuries from shrapnel, according to the hospital.
The circumstances of the incident are being investigated. Initial reports noted there may have been a second shooter, but Israeli police say there are no other suspects at-large, and they believe only one shooter was involved. They added that the area has been secured.
While the first victim was being treated, more shots were heard from a location in a different area of Dizengoff street, a first responder told a local news outlet.
Shortly after news broke of the gunman's death, reports detailed that a possible bomb had been discovered on a bus; however, it was noted at the time that the explosive device had been neutralized by Israeli forces on the scene.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in Italy, confirmed the attack on Twitter, offering prayers for the wounded.
פיגוע קשה הערב בתל אביב. אני מתפלל לשלום הפצועים ומחזק את ידי המשטרה וכוחות הביטחון שפועלים בשטח.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 9, 2023
Netanyahu reportedly said he will not shorten his trip because of the attack.
"I am sure that these things will not weaken our determination to continue building our country, to plant deep roots in our homeland and to secure our common future," Netanyahu said.
Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Avi Mayer said, citing Israeli news outlet Walla, that the shooter's gun jammed while he was shooting at civilians. Mayer added that an IDF soldier "rushed down from his apartment" and shot the attacker who then died.
Joe Truzman, a research analyst for the Foundation of Defence of Democracies think tank, posted a video from above the street shortly after the attack.
Scene from the Tel Aviv terror attack that happened a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/E3VSCCMw3A
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) March 9, 2023
The attack came while widespread protests against the government's planned judicial reforms that will greatly reduce the power of the country's Supreme Court. Due to the attack, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai requested anti-government protesters "go home" while police investigate the scene.
There has been a rise of violence in occupied West Bank recently, with videos of Israeli settlers attacking and setting fire to Palestinian homes. It is unknown if those events motivated the attacker, who has since been identified as 23-year-old Mo'taz Khawaja, a resident of the town Nalin in the West Bank.
However, according to the Jerusalem Post, Hamas has taken credit for the attack and said Israeli actions in the West Bank was behind the attack.
"The shooting terror attack in Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv is an initial response to the crimes of the occupation, the last of which was the murder of three young people this morning," Hamas Spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Kanua reportedly said.
Israel claims the three individuals killed, who were reportedly in their 20s, were "militants." A fourth Palestinian, aged 14, was also killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday.
An Israeli journalist, Ben Menachem, posted a video that seems to be of the moment the shooter was killed. The video was shot from a balcony above the street.
Warning: Viewer discretion is advised.
פיגוע ירי ברחוב דיזינגוף בתל אביב- 3 נפגעים pic.twitter.com/DDe2UoorOS
— יוני בן מנחם yoni ben menachem (@yonibmen) March 9, 2023
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Twitter that the IDF soldier who killed the shooter was an Israeli Border Guard, though Israel 24 News described the soldier as a "special forces police officer."
Dizengoff street is a popular area lined with bars and cafes. In August of last year, the street was the scene of another shooting that police described as a crime-related incident, but there were no injuries. In April, two Israelis were killed on Dizengoff street after a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded bar.
