2022 Tel Aviv shooting
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (April 2022) |
| 2022 Tel Aviv shooting | |
|---|---|
  2022 Tel Aviv shooting (Tel Aviv with neighborhoods) The location of the shooting | |
| Location | Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Date | April 7, 2022 |
| Deaths | 3[a] |
| Injured | 11 |
On 7 April 2022, three people were killed and eleven injured in a mass shooting in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
Background
Three attacks occurred in March, two of which were carried out by Islamic State supporters. A total of 11 people were killed, making it one of the deadliest waves of attacks in the country in recent years.[1] The deadliest of the previous attacks was the drive-by shooting in Bnei Brak.
Three other major attacks occurred in Dizengoff Street. In 1994, a Hamas suicide bomber killed 22 people. In 1996, another Hamas suicide bomber killed 13 people. In 2016, an Islamic State supporter killed three people.[2]
Attack
At around 9:00 p.m., a shooter reportedly clad in black clothing opened fire at three locations on Dizengoff Street, a major street in central Tel Aviv, including at the Ilka Bar. Ten people were transported to Ichilov Hospital. Two of them, both men aged 27,[3] died of their injuries.[4] Twelve other people were wounded, including four critically.[5][6][7] A day later, 35-year-old sprint kayaker Barak Lufan, who was injured during the attack, died due to his wounds, bringing the death toll to three.[8]
The gunman fled on foot and remained at large several hours after the shooting, prompting an extensive manhunt by security forces.[9][10] About 1,000 soldiers and police officers participated in the manhunt, including special forces soldiers from the elite Sayeret Matkal, LOTAR Eilat, and Shaldag units. Tel Aviv residents were instructed to remain indoors and keep away from windows and balconies. On the early morning of 8 April, after about nine hours, he was found hiding in a mosque in Jaffa and killed in a gunfight with Shin Bet agents and Israeli police Yamam officers.[11][12][13][14]
Perpetrator
The gunman was identified as Raad Hazem, a 28-year-old Palestinian from Jenin in the northern West Bank.[1][15] Hazem had prayed at a mosque in Yefet Street before the shootings, which was also the place where he was killed. His ties to any militant groups were unclear.[11]
Reactions
Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas did not claim responsibility, but condoned and celebrated the attack, claiming it was the "natural and legitimate response to the escalation of the occupation's crimes against our people, our land, Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque." Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine echoed Hamas' response, and warned that further "incursions" into al-Aqsa Mosque would only lead to "more resistance and ransom operations."[5] On the other hand, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned "the killing of Israeli civilians", warning that the murder of civilians on both sides would only lead to "a further deterioration of the situation".[1]
US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted that he was “horrified to see another cowardly attack on innocent civilians”, and EU Ambassador to Israel Dimiter Tzantchev stated that he was "deeply worried about reports about another terror attack against Israeli civilians".[5] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the attack.[1]
Bahrain issued a condemnation of the shooting, which described it as a "terrorist operation."[16]
Notes
- ^ This figure does not include the shooter, who was shot and killed by police a day later at a different location.
References
- ^ a b c d "Israel: Palestinian gunman killed after deadly attack at Tel Aviv bar". BBC News. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Shooting in popular Tel Aviv area kills 2 Israelis; 8 wounded". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Here's how things stand 3 hours after Tel Aviv shooting". The Times of Israel. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ staff, T. O. I. "Tel Aviv terror victims named as 27-year-olds Tomer Morad, Eytam Magini". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Ahronheim, Anna; Joffre, Tzvi (7 April 2022). "After night-long manhunt, Tel Aviv terrorist found, killed by security forces". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "At least two dead and eight wounded in Tel Aviv shooting". The Guardian. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Two Killed in Tel Aviv Shooting Attack, Manhunt Underway". Haaretz. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ 35-year-old critically wounded in Tel Aviv attack succumbs to wounds, raising death count to 3
- ^ Kingsley, Patrick (7 April 2022). "Gunman Escapes After Killing 2 in Tel Aviv, in Latest Attack in Israel". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ Reuters (7 April 2022). "At least 2 dead in attack at Tel Aviv bar, police say". Reuters. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Officials said to believe Tel Aviv terrorist set out for attack from Jaffa mosque". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ Police criticize decision to send IDF troops into Tel Aviv after terror attack – report
- ^ At least 2 dead in attack at Tel Aviv bar, police say
- ^ After night-long manhunt, Tel Aviv terrorist found, killed by security forces
- ^ "Report: Tel Aviv terrorist found and killed in Jaffa". The Times of Israel. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ Reuters (8 April 2022). "Bahrain condemns 'terrorist operation' shooting in Tel Aviv". Reuters. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help)
