At least two Israeli border police officers were killed in an attack claimed by terror group Islamic State (ISIS) in northern Israel on Sunday.
Several other civilians were injured in the attack carried out in the city of Hadera, according to local reports.
In response, the two terrorists committing the attack were killed by undercover police.
Israel’s Border Police identified the two police officers as Yezen Falah and Shirel Abukarat, both aged 19, Times of Israel reported.
“The two officers died in battle this evening with armed terrorists,” the Border Police said, praising the officers’ bravery for risking their lives to defend the security of the country.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted via Telegram.
Surveillance camera footage circulating on Israeli media showed two bearded gunmen appearing to open fire with assault rifles in a main street of Hadera.
Police said the terrorists came to a bus station with 1,100 bullets, three handguns, and six knives. They began shooting towards the two victims and snatched a rifle belonging to one of the victims, reported the Times of Israel.
The terrorists also opened fire on passersby before being gunned down and killed by undercover police officers dining at a nearby restaurant.
Two civilians were critically injured in the attack, while four others sustained minor injuries. Five passersby have been taken to Hillel Yafe Medical Center after exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome following the attack, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The attack occurred as Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid was hosting a summit with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and counterparts from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Egypt in Negrev on Sunday.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a tweet that all the foreign ministers participating in the summit condemned the Hadera attack and asked to send their condolences to the families of the victims.
Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid called the attack “heinous” and “an attempt by violent extremists to terrorize and to damage the fabric of life” in Israel.
“The State of Israel will uncompromisingly fight terrorism, and we will resolutely stand together with our allies against anyone who tries to harm us,” Yair was quoted saying by the ministry.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that the United States condemned “such senseless acts of violence and murder” committed by the terrorists and pledged to “stand with our Israeli partners.”
Last week on March 22, an Arab assailant reportedly killed four people in a stabbing and car-ramming spree in the southern city of Beersheba before being shot and killed by an Israeli citizen.
Reuters contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
