Tragedy Strikes West Bank: 2 Israelis Killed in Palestinian Shooting
Two Israelis were killed Thursday when a Palestinian terrorist unleashed a fatal shooting at a gas station near the West Bank settlement of Eli. This marks the second tragic event at this location since June, amplifying already heightened tensions in the West Bank as the region braces for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service promptly responded to the scene, finding two male victims, one in his 20s and the other aged 57, shot dead in the vicinity of the gas station shortly after 5 p.m. The younger victim was discovered inside his vehicle, while the older man lay on the roadway nearby. MDA reported no additional casualties from the attack.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) swiftly identified the assailant involved in the deadly encounter and confirmed that he was neutralized on the spot by the owner of a nearby hummus restaurant. Aviad Gazbar, the restaurant owner who had recently completed reserve duty in the Gaza Strip, stated that, after hearing the initial gunshots, he engaged the assailant, effectively halting the attack and preventing further loss of life.
The IDF has initiated a comprehensive search for possible accomplices, deploying troops to secure the area and conduct thorough investigations. The Shin Bet security agency disclosed that the shooter, Muhammad Manasra, a 31-year-old officer in the Palestinian Authority’s police from the Qalandiya refugee camp, had a history of weapons offenses, having been incarcerated between 2018 and 2019.
