Police confirm Yavne supermarket stabbing was terrorism

Jewish victim in critical condition, Arab suspect arrested at scene after tackled by witnesses

AUGUST 2, 2017 12:57

Updated: AUGUST 3, 2017 03:29

Police apprehend Yavne terrorist

A 42-year-old Jewish man is in critical condition after being repeatedly stabbed in the upper body by a 19-year-old Palestinian terrorist at a supermarket in Yavne on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect was identified as Ismail Ibrahim Ismail Abu Aram from Yatta, in the South Hebron Hills. Police said he entered a Shufersal grocery store on Sanhedrin Street at around noon and stabbed an employee several times before attempting to flee.

Moment of stabbing attack in Yavne supermarket

According to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Abu Aram entered Israel illegally, but was not known to security services.

The terrorist was tackled by bystanders and held until police arrived and placed him under arrest.

“The Palestinian suspect came to a supermarket packed with people, and began stabbing the victim,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. “We know there was no preexisting relationship between the two whatsoever, so we confirmed it was a terrorist attack. The suspect is still being questioned and the area has been cordoned off, as police continue their investigation.”

United Hatzalah paramedic Netanel Moyal said he treated the victim as well as several witnesses for shock.

“I rushed over to the scene and treated the individual suffering from stab wounds to his upper body,” said Moyal. “While I was treating him, other volunteer EMS personnel joined me, and he was taken by ambulance to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot.”

A Shufersal representative said the company has been in continuous contact with the victim’s family and the hospital.

Abu Aram has been transferred to the Shin Bet for further questioning.

Following the stabbing attack, soldiers from the Judea Brigade raided the terrorist’s West Bank home.

Also on Wednesday, an IDF unit guarding the Gush Etzion junction identified a suspicious female Palestinian approaching them. While apprehending her, the suspect threw a knife to the ground.

On July 21, a Palestinian terrorist entered a Jewish home in the West Bank settlement of Halamish (Neveh Tzuf) and stabbed three residents to death while they were having Shabbat dinner.

Last August, following dozens of random, “lone-wolf” stabbing attacks in Jerusalem, police announced a NIS 1 billion restructuring initiative to heighten security in the capital’s volatile eastern Arab sector.

The plan features five new stations in Arab neighborhoods, 1,200 additional officers and nearly 200 extra CCTV cameras.

Still, attacks have continued in the Old City, where Damascus Gate has seen many in recent years.

Anna Ahronheim and Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.