Four dead, 4 wounded in West Bank gas station shooting attack

Four Israelis were killed and another four were wounded in a shooting attack by two terrorists at a gas station outside of the West Bank settlement of Eli on Tuesday afternoon. 

During an exchange of fire, one of the terrorists was shot and killed by an armed Israeli civilian, while the other fled.

Shin Bet, IDF and Border Police forces shot and killed the second terrorist after locating him and attempting to arrest him a short time later. They followed him upon his escape, according to a joint statement, and eventually found his car abandoned. The security forces continued to track the terrorist and attempted to arrest him once he was found. He was killed when he resisted arrest, according to their statement.

During the search, the Israeli security forces employed the use of a helicopter and set up additional checkpoints in the area.  

“Two terrorists entered a restaurant near the gas station [where they] shot and killed three civilians. They then came out and fatally shot a civilian who was refueling his car. Another citizen who was at the gas station opened fire and managed to neutralize one of the terrorists, the other apparently fled the scene,” ZAKA (rescue and recovery organization) spokesman Moti Bookchin said.

The terrorist who was killed on site was identified as Muhannad Shahada, a resident of the village of Ourif near Nablus in the West Bank, according to Palestinian reports cited by Army Radio. 

Four killed, four wounded in the attack

One of the four additional wounded, a 20-year-old man in serious condition, was transferred to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. He is in serious but stable condition with a gunshot wound in his upper body and will soon undergo surgery, according to the hospital.

Two additional wounded are in moderate and another in light condition, according to MDA. They were transported to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.

“We received a report at MDA’s 101 hotline about a shooting attack at a gas station next to Eli. We arrived with large forces at the gas station and saw a difficult scene,” said senior medic Motti Dahan from MDA. “[Eight] had suffered gunshot wounds, some of them at the gas station and some at the nearby restaurant…Three of the wounded were evacuated to hospitals in MDA intensive care vehicles and unfortunately, we had to pronounce the death of 4 victims.”

“Unfortunately four people were pronounced dead following resuscitation attempts that were unsuccessful,” United Hatzalah volunteer paramedics Aviah Chaim and Yoni Rosenfeld said. “In addition, we provided initial treatment to four more people who suffered from gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of the incident, United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit also treated a number of people for emotional shock.”

Following the attack, Eli settlement chairman Ariel Elmaliach called on the residents to stay in their homes, because of the possibility that the second terrorist had entered the town. The all-clear was given about an hour and a half afterward.

Politicians express condolences, security chiefs to meet later

“The time has come to launch a military operation in Judea and Samaria. Return to targeted killings, take down buildings, put up checkpoints, expell terrorists and pass the death penalty for terrorists.”

Itamar Ben-Gvir

“Settlers have become ducks on a shooting range,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said at the scene of the attack in Eli. “I call on the Prime Minister, I call on Minister Gallant, the time has come to launch a military operation in Judea and Samaria. Return to targeted killings, take down buildings, put up checkpoints, expell terrorists and pass the death penalty for terrorists in the second and third Knesset reading.”

“Difficult news from Eli. Four murdered people and the heart breaks for the families and the friends who lost their dearest persons in a murderous terror attack,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said. “I send condolences and share in the grief of the families and pray together with the whole of Israel for healing and comfort… I trust [Israeli security forces] to catch the murderers and their senders.”

“I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the families of those murdered in the terrible attack in Eli and wish the injured a speedy and full recovery,” National Unity chairman and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz said. “At this time, determined and responsible actions are required, led by the security forces. We will back up every correct decision of the government in the face of murderous terrorism.”

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “It has been a difficult day. My heart breaks for the 4 people murdered in the horrific terrorist attack near Eli. I send my condolences to their families, pray for the wounded to be healed, and support the security forces. In the face of the terrorism that is rearing its head, we must react with determination and strength. The Palestinian Authority, which pays terrorists and their families for murdering Jews, encourages terrorism. I call on the international community to strongly condemn this criminal policy.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that “all options are open” following the terror attack. “We will continue to fight terror with full force, and we will defeat it,” he stated.

Netanyahu said that Israel “proved in recent months that we make all the murderers pay, without exception. Anyone who harms us is in a grave or in prison. That will happen here, as well.”

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday that he was receiving ongoing updates on the situation. He added that at 6 p.m. he would hold a meeting with the chiefs of the military, the Shin Bet and other senior defense officials.

Israeli residents of the northern West Bank called for demonstrations at Eli and Rachelim junctions on Tuesday evening, in order to protest against the lacking response by the government and security forces, in their view.

This is a developing story.

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