9 june 2016
Several serious questions arise from the terror attack in Sarona. How were the terrorists able to make it all the way from Hebron to the heart of Tel Aviv? Who aided them? And did the PA know of the impending danger but fail to warn Israel?
The massacre at Sarona Market was not the first time Palestinians from the territories had commited a terror attack using firearms or explosives. Even in the current wave of violence, there have been attacks committed by Palestinians who were barred by the Shin Bet from entering Israel and nevertheless managed to get all the way to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
But Wednesday night's deadly shooting bears the markings of something more "professionally" planned. This despite the fact that all signs point to the two not having been members of any terror organization and not committing the attack on behalf of any terror group, but rather of their own volition—much like most attacks in this round of hostilities.
Just like in several other instances in the current wave of terror attacks, the two terrorists are related to one another and came from the Hebron area. The big question is how did they get their hands on the firearms, and how did they manage to make their way from the Hebron area into the heart of Israel with these firearms without being stopped.
All signs indicate to the two acting alone. And yet, someone had to have driven them while not asking what they were carrying in their bags—which included not just firearms, but also knives—and drop them off at the center of Tel Aviv.
The attackers carefully picked their target. Usually, terrorists are familiar with the place they choose to attack. It might be the case in this instance as well, and it's possible that they gathered intelligence before committing the shooting at the Max Brenner restaurant. In addition, there's the possibility that they intentionally chose the crowded Sarona complex, which is right across the street from the IDF and Defense Ministry headquarters.
The attack was committed on the evening of the second day of the Ramadan fast, and there's almost no doubt it was inspired by the religious incitement that prevails in the Muslim world, mostly among those belonging to radical sects. In recent days, we've witnessed terror attacks in Istanbul and other places in the Middle East that were undoubtedly inspired by the holy month of Ramadan. We experience similar attacks every year during the month-long fast. Such was the case this time, with Palestinian media already dubbing it "The Ramadan Attack" and rushing to glorify the terrorists.
Security footage shows that the terrorists used Carl Gustaf rifles, which may have even been improvised weapons. The video clearly shows one of the terrorists' rifles jamming, leading him to throw it on the ground in frustration as his friend continues shooting—before his weapon also jams. They don't appear to be very skilled, but they appear to be keeping their cool. The two sat down to eat, perhaps to end the day's fasting, and only then carried out the attack. They must have prepared for the possibility of their weapon jamming and that's why they brought along the knives.
In such a situation, the security apparatus must find the weak point that allows Palestinians from the West Bank to enter Israel illegally and reach the heart of Tel Aviv unhindered, where they could carry out their plans. This will now be the main issue investigated.
Unfortunately, according to IDF assessments, it is too early to declare the recent decline in terror attacks as indicative of the wave's end. The IDF views this situation as an unstable cession of hostilities that could be still reignited, with Ramadan being a prime time for violence.
According to unconfirmed reports, the Palestinian security forces received intelligence that the two cousins disappeared from their homes several days ago, raising the suspicion they might carry out an attack. The question is whether this report was also passed on to the Israeli security forces, and if it didn't—Abbas should answer for it.
In any case, the level of alert must remain very high during the days of Ramadan, as what happened on Wednesday night could happen again.
Meanwhile, the security guards at the Sarona Market and the police should be commended for quickly apprehending the attackers and restoring normalcy to Tel Aviv.
The massacre at Sarona Market was not the first time Palestinians from the territories had commited a terror attack using firearms or explosives. Even in the current wave of violence, there have been attacks committed by Palestinians who were barred by the Shin Bet from entering Israel and nevertheless managed to get all the way to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
But Wednesday night's deadly shooting bears the markings of something more "professionally" planned. This despite the fact that all signs point to the two not having been members of any terror organization and not committing the attack on behalf of any terror group, but rather of their own volition—much like most attacks in this round of hostilities.
Just like in several other instances in the current wave of terror attacks, the two terrorists are related to one another and came from the Hebron area. The big question is how did they get their hands on the firearms, and how did they manage to make their way from the Hebron area into the heart of Israel with these firearms without being stopped.
All signs indicate to the two acting alone. And yet, someone had to have driven them while not asking what they were carrying in their bags—which included not just firearms, but also knives—and drop them off at the center of Tel Aviv.
The attackers carefully picked their target. Usually, terrorists are familiar with the place they choose to attack. It might be the case in this instance as well, and it's possible that they gathered intelligence before committing the shooting at the Max Brenner restaurant. In addition, there's the possibility that they intentionally chose the crowded Sarona complex, which is right across the street from the IDF and Defense Ministry headquarters.
The attack was committed on the evening of the second day of the Ramadan fast, and there's almost no doubt it was inspired by the religious incitement that prevails in the Muslim world, mostly among those belonging to radical sects. In recent days, we've witnessed terror attacks in Istanbul and other places in the Middle East that were undoubtedly inspired by the holy month of Ramadan. We experience similar attacks every year during the month-long fast. Such was the case this time, with Palestinian media already dubbing it "The Ramadan Attack" and rushing to glorify the terrorists.
Security footage shows that the terrorists used Carl Gustaf rifles, which may have even been improvised weapons. The video clearly shows one of the terrorists' rifles jamming, leading him to throw it on the ground in frustration as his friend continues shooting—before his weapon also jams. They don't appear to be very skilled, but they appear to be keeping their cool. The two sat down to eat, perhaps to end the day's fasting, and only then carried out the attack. They must have prepared for the possibility of their weapon jamming and that's why they brought along the knives.
In such a situation, the security apparatus must find the weak point that allows Palestinians from the West Bank to enter Israel illegally and reach the heart of Tel Aviv unhindered, where they could carry out their plans. This will now be the main issue investigated.
Unfortunately, according to IDF assessments, it is too early to declare the recent decline in terror attacks as indicative of the wave's end. The IDF views this situation as an unstable cession of hostilities that could be still reignited, with Ramadan being a prime time for violence.
According to unconfirmed reports, the Palestinian security forces received intelligence that the two cousins disappeared from their homes several days ago, raising the suspicion they might carry out an attack. The question is whether this report was also passed on to the Israeli security forces, and if it didn't—Abbas should answer for it.
In any case, the level of alert must remain very high during the days of Ramadan, as what happened on Wednesday night could happen again.
Meanwhile, the security guards at the Sarona Market and the police should be commended for quickly apprehending the attackers and restoring normalcy to Tel Aviv.
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran has described the "heroic" operation in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening as "the first good harbingers of the holy month of Ramadan and the first surprise that awaits the occupation state during the month."
In a press release on Wednesday, Badran hailed as "heroes" the Palestinians who carried out the Tel Aviv attack that led to the killing of four Israelis and the injury of seven others, four seriously.
He said that the attackers were able to break the prestige of Israel's security system and strike its citizens in their safest haven.
The Hamas spokesman added that the shooters' success in entering the 1948 occupied lands and executing their operation near the Israeli ministry of war reflected the failure of all Israeli measures aimed at undermining the intifada (uprising) and killing the spirit of resistance in the hearts of the Palestinian youth.
For his part, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said that the Tel Aviv shooting attack was "a natural response to Israel's persistent desecration of the Aqsa Mosque and its crimes against the Palestinian people."
In press remarks on Thursday, Abu Zuhri stated that all the conspiracies and the attempts by the security forces of the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Authority to abort the intifada would be doomed to failure.
In a press release on Wednesday, Badran hailed as "heroes" the Palestinians who carried out the Tel Aviv attack that led to the killing of four Israelis and the injury of seven others, four seriously.
He said that the attackers were able to break the prestige of Israel's security system and strike its citizens in their safest haven.
The Hamas spokesman added that the shooters' success in entering the 1948 occupied lands and executing their operation near the Israeli ministry of war reflected the failure of all Israeli measures aimed at undermining the intifada (uprising) and killing the spirit of resistance in the hearts of the Palestinian youth.
For his part, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said that the Tel Aviv shooting attack was "a natural response to Israel's persistent desecration of the Aqsa Mosque and its crimes against the Palestinian people."
In press remarks on Thursday, Abu Zuhri stated that all the conspiracies and the attempts by the security forces of the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Authority to abort the intifada would be doomed to failure.
The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which implements Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territory, issued an order freezing more than 83,000 permits allowing Palestinians to enter Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, the organization said on Thursday.
The freeze comes in the wake of a deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, in which four Israelis were killed and six wounded.
Two Palestinian suspects were detained on the scene, and the Israeli army carried out an unspecified number of detentions in the suspected assailants’ hometown of Yatta in the southern occupied West Bank, also closing off the entrance to the town.”
In accordance with the security assessment taken last night by the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu), the Minister of Defense and the Army Chief of Staff, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav (Poly) Mordechai, has instructed on the freezing of 204 permits of the terrorists’ relatives,” COGAT said in a statement on Thursday.”
In addition, all of the permits for Ramadan, especially permits for family visits from Judea and Samaria to Israel, are frozen,” the statement read, using the Israeli term for the occupied West Bank. “Accordingly, 83,000 permits are frozen.”COGAT added that all agreements allowing Gaza residents to travel to East Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque had also been suspended, saying that “all the steps for the Gazan residents for Ramadan are frozen.”
On average, 200 Gazans have been allowed to travel to Al-Aqsa as part of the ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel which ended the 2014 war on Gaza. However, the agreement has been regularly suspended over Israeli claims regarding security.
According to Ma’an, the vast majority of the permits were issued by Israeli army commander Gadi Eizenkot and approved by the recently-appointed Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman to allow Palestinians to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The freeze comes in the wake of a deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, in which four Israelis were killed and six wounded.
Two Palestinian suspects were detained on the scene, and the Israeli army carried out an unspecified number of detentions in the suspected assailants’ hometown of Yatta in the southern occupied West Bank, also closing off the entrance to the town.”
In accordance with the security assessment taken last night by the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu), the Minister of Defense and the Army Chief of Staff, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav (Poly) Mordechai, has instructed on the freezing of 204 permits of the terrorists’ relatives,” COGAT said in a statement on Thursday.”
In addition, all of the permits for Ramadan, especially permits for family visits from Judea and Samaria to Israel, are frozen,” the statement read, using the Israeli term for the occupied West Bank. “Accordingly, 83,000 permits are frozen.”COGAT added that all agreements allowing Gaza residents to travel to East Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque had also been suspended, saying that “all the steps for the Gazan residents for Ramadan are frozen.”
On average, 200 Gazans have been allowed to travel to Al-Aqsa as part of the ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel which ended the 2014 war on Gaza. However, the agreement has been regularly suspended over Israeli claims regarding security.
According to Ma’an, the vast majority of the permits were issued by Israeli army commander Gadi Eizenkot and approved by the recently-appointed Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman to allow Palestinians to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Lieberman praises Tel Aviv residents for carrying on with normal lives after deadly terror attack, promises to take 'severe measures:' Danny Danon: 'UN failure to condemn Palestinian terror means next attack a matter of time.'
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman spoke on Thursday about the government’s intention to respond to the the Palestinian terror attack which claimed the lives of four Israelis and wounded 16 others in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market on Wednesday night.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Lieberman said, “Please allow me to express my condolences to the families and wish the wounded a speedy recovery. I came to salute the residents of Tel Aviv who have had to deal with yet another serious incident. Despite this, they want to return to regular life and prove that life is stronger.”
“I don’t intend to elaborate on the steps which we will be taking and I definitely don’t intend to make do with words only,” Lieberman declared.
The attack is the first to have taken place since Lieberman was inaugurated as defense miniser. Moreover, it comes as the month-long Muslim holy month of Ramadan gets underway - a period known in Israel for its upsurge in security threats. One of Lieberman’s first decisions was to ease restrictions on Palestinians during the festival.
In an earlier statement, Lieberman said that Israel will not “put up with the situation. I don’t think this is the time to issue declarations, but we will do everything necessary and we will do in a severe manner.”
“We won’t accept this situation, they cannot escape responsibility,” he said.
The Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, called upon the UN secretary-general and the security council on Wednesday night to condemn the terror attack.
“Today’s attack is sad proof that when the international community refuses to condemn terror against Israelis, the next attack is only a matter of time. Terror in Tel Aviv must be viewed in the same way as terror attacks in Paris or Istanbul,” said Danon.
“I call upon the Security Council and the secretary-general to severely condemn the murderous terror attack and to demand from the Palestinian leadership to put a stop to hateful things which incite terror.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had already been appriased of the attack while on the plane returning to Israel from a visit to Moscow, immediately made his way to Ministry of Defense headquarters (Kirya) in Tel Aviv to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the matter with Lieberman, Minister of Internal Security Gilad Erdan, Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh, Shin Bet Chief Nadav Argaman and other senior officials. On Friday the Cabinet will meet to discuss the attack.
The attack in Tel Aviv - which concluded with the death the arrest of the two terrorists, one moderately wounded - disrupts a comparatively long period of calm since the intense half-year nationwide wave of terror, characterized by shootings, stabbings and car rammings, appeared to have subsided, thereby dashing the government’s cautious optimism of a return to normality.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman spoke on Thursday about the government’s intention to respond to the the Palestinian terror attack which claimed the lives of four Israelis and wounded 16 others in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market on Wednesday night.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Lieberman said, “Please allow me to express my condolences to the families and wish the wounded a speedy recovery. I came to salute the residents of Tel Aviv who have had to deal with yet another serious incident. Despite this, they want to return to regular life and prove that life is stronger.”
“I don’t intend to elaborate on the steps which we will be taking and I definitely don’t intend to make do with words only,” Lieberman declared.
The attack is the first to have taken place since Lieberman was inaugurated as defense miniser. Moreover, it comes as the month-long Muslim holy month of Ramadan gets underway - a period known in Israel for its upsurge in security threats. One of Lieberman’s first decisions was to ease restrictions on Palestinians during the festival.
In an earlier statement, Lieberman said that Israel will not “put up with the situation. I don’t think this is the time to issue declarations, but we will do everything necessary and we will do in a severe manner.”
“We won’t accept this situation, they cannot escape responsibility,” he said.
The Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, called upon the UN secretary-general and the security council on Wednesday night to condemn the terror attack.
“Today’s attack is sad proof that when the international community refuses to condemn terror against Israelis, the next attack is only a matter of time. Terror in Tel Aviv must be viewed in the same way as terror attacks in Paris or Istanbul,” said Danon.
“I call upon the Security Council and the secretary-general to severely condemn the murderous terror attack and to demand from the Palestinian leadership to put a stop to hateful things which incite terror.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had already been appriased of the attack while on the plane returning to Israel from a visit to Moscow, immediately made his way to Ministry of Defense headquarters (Kirya) in Tel Aviv to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the matter with Lieberman, Minister of Internal Security Gilad Erdan, Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh, Shin Bet Chief Nadav Argaman and other senior officials. On Friday the Cabinet will meet to discuss the attack.
The attack in Tel Aviv - which concluded with the death the arrest of the two terrorists, one moderately wounded - disrupts a comparatively long period of calm since the intense half-year nationwide wave of terror, characterized by shootings, stabbings and car rammings, appeared to have subsided, thereby dashing the government’s cautious optimism of a return to normality.
Ilana Navaa 39
CNN refers to Tel Aviv terrorists who killed 4 Israelis in quotation marks; BBC describes attack as ‘shooting;’ FOX News refers to ‘Terror in Israel.’
A number of international news forums, including the BBC and CNN networks, have angered Israelis for their misleading headlines about Wednesday’s fatal terror attack in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market which claimed the lives of four Israelis.
CNN for example, referred to the terrorist in quotation marks. This is not the first time the site has cast doubt over the terrorist motivations of an attack when perpetrated in Israel. Indeed, in December 2015, Israel demanded an explanation from the US news network for what it described as “dishonest and unethical journalism.” in its coverage of a stabbing attack which took place in Jerusalem’s Old city.
The BBC headline reporting the attack avoided the use of the term ‘terror’ at all: ‘Tel Aviv shooting: Three killed in shopping center attack.’ Like CNN, BBC has also come under serious criticism in the past for its apparent biased reporting on terror attacks in Israel. In October, 2015 a stabbing attack in Jerusalem’s Old City which resulted in the death of two Israelis at the hands of a 19-year-old Palestinian, was reported: ‘Palestinian shot dead after Jerusalem attack kills two.’
Several other news sites have also followed in a similar fashion. Headlines in Sky News, The Guardian and The Telegraph also omitted any mention of the nature of Wednesday’s attack while The New York Times referred to the terrorists as “Palestinian gunmen.” By contrast, Fox News headlines led with “Terror in Israel.”
CNN refers to Tel Aviv terrorists who killed 4 Israelis in quotation marks; BBC describes attack as ‘shooting;’ FOX News refers to ‘Terror in Israel.’
A number of international news forums, including the BBC and CNN networks, have angered Israelis for their misleading headlines about Wednesday’s fatal terror attack in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market which claimed the lives of four Israelis.
CNN for example, referred to the terrorist in quotation marks. This is not the first time the site has cast doubt over the terrorist motivations of an attack when perpetrated in Israel. Indeed, in December 2015, Israel demanded an explanation from the US news network for what it described as “dishonest and unethical journalism.” in its coverage of a stabbing attack which took place in Jerusalem’s Old city.
The BBC headline reporting the attack avoided the use of the term ‘terror’ at all: ‘Tel Aviv shooting: Three killed in shopping center attack.’ Like CNN, BBC has also come under serious criticism in the past for its apparent biased reporting on terror attacks in Israel. In October, 2015 a stabbing attack in Jerusalem’s Old City which resulted in the death of two Israelis at the hands of a 19-year-old Palestinian, was reported: ‘Palestinian shot dead after Jerusalem attack kills two.’
Several other news sites have also followed in a similar fashion. Headlines in Sky News, The Guardian and The Telegraph also omitted any mention of the nature of Wednesday’s attack while The New York Times referred to the terrorists as “Palestinian gunmen.” By contrast, Fox News headlines led with “Terror in Israel.”
Mila Mishayev 33
Permits for 83,000 Palestinians for visits from the West Bank to Israel have been revoked, including permits of 204 relatives of one of the terrorists.
Israel said Thursday it had suspended entry permits for 83,000 Palestinians during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan after two Palestinian terrorists killed four Israelis and wounded 16 others in Tel Aviv.
"All permits for Ramadan, especially permits for family visits from Judea and Samaria to Israel, are frozen," said a statement from COGAT, the unit which manages civilian affairs in the West Bank.
It said that 83,000 Palestinians would be affected, adding that hundreds of residents of the Gaza Strip who had received permits to visit relatives and holy sites during Ramadan would also have access frozen.
COGAT said it had frozen permits for 204 relatives of one of the terrorists, and the IDF is preventing Palestinians from leaving and entering the West Bank village of Yatta, home to the attackers.
COGAT said entering or leaving will only be permitted for humanitarian and medical cases.
The assailants came from the village of Yatta, near Hebron, in the West Bank. They dressed in suits and ties and posed as customers at an upmarket restaurant in Tel Aviv's Sarona complex before pulling out automatic weapons and opening fire, sending diners fleeing in panic.
Four Israelis—Idan Ben-Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan; Ilana Nave, 39, from Tel Aviv; Dr. Michael Feige, 58 from Ramat Gan; and Mila Mishayev, 32, from Rishon Lezion—were murdered and 16 others wounded.
Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran called it "the first prophecy of Ramadan" and said the location of the attack, across the road from Israel's fortified Defense Ministry, "indicated the failure of all measures by the occupation" to end the uprising.
During the recent wave of violence, Israel's government has repeatedly criticized Palestinian factions for inciting attacks or not doing enough to quell them.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the largest group in the Palestine Liberation Organization after Fatah, the Western-backed party of President Mahmoud Abbas, described the killings as "a natural response to field executions conducted by the Zionist occupation."
The group called it a challenge to far-right nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's newly appointed defense minister, who must decide how to respond to the violence, possibly with tighter security across the West Bank.
The United Nations' special coordinator for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the shootings and expressed alarm at the failure of Palestinian groups to speak out against the violence.
"All must reject violence and say no to terror," he said in a tersely worded statement. "I am shocked to see Hamas welcome the terror attack. Leaders must stand against violence and the incitement that fuels it, not condone it."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene minutes after arriving back from a two-day visit to Moscow. He described the attacks as "cold-blooded murder" and vowed retaliation.
"We held a consultation about a series of offensive and defensive measures that we will implement," he said. "We will locate anyone who cooperated with this attack and we will act firmly and intelligently to fight terrorism."
Israel had announced last week it was relaxing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, mainly from the West Bank, but also those living in Gaza, during Ramadan.
It had planned to allowed up to 500 people from Gaza to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on the Temple Mount in East Jerusalem over the holy month, which began on Monday.
Permits for 83,000 Palestinians for visits from the West Bank to Israel have been revoked, including permits of 204 relatives of one of the terrorists.
Israel said Thursday it had suspended entry permits for 83,000 Palestinians during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan after two Palestinian terrorists killed four Israelis and wounded 16 others in Tel Aviv.
"All permits for Ramadan, especially permits for family visits from Judea and Samaria to Israel, are frozen," said a statement from COGAT, the unit which manages civilian affairs in the West Bank.
It said that 83,000 Palestinians would be affected, adding that hundreds of residents of the Gaza Strip who had received permits to visit relatives and holy sites during Ramadan would also have access frozen.
COGAT said it had frozen permits for 204 relatives of one of the terrorists, and the IDF is preventing Palestinians from leaving and entering the West Bank village of Yatta, home to the attackers.
COGAT said entering or leaving will only be permitted for humanitarian and medical cases.
The assailants came from the village of Yatta, near Hebron, in the West Bank. They dressed in suits and ties and posed as customers at an upmarket restaurant in Tel Aviv's Sarona complex before pulling out automatic weapons and opening fire, sending diners fleeing in panic.
Four Israelis—Idan Ben-Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan; Ilana Nave, 39, from Tel Aviv; Dr. Michael Feige, 58 from Ramat Gan; and Mila Mishayev, 32, from Rishon Lezion—were murdered and 16 others wounded.
Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran called it "the first prophecy of Ramadan" and said the location of the attack, across the road from Israel's fortified Defense Ministry, "indicated the failure of all measures by the occupation" to end the uprising.
During the recent wave of violence, Israel's government has repeatedly criticized Palestinian factions for inciting attacks or not doing enough to quell them.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the largest group in the Palestine Liberation Organization after Fatah, the Western-backed party of President Mahmoud Abbas, described the killings as "a natural response to field executions conducted by the Zionist occupation."
The group called it a challenge to far-right nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's newly appointed defense minister, who must decide how to respond to the violence, possibly with tighter security across the West Bank.
The United Nations' special coordinator for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the shootings and expressed alarm at the failure of Palestinian groups to speak out against the violence.
"All must reject violence and say no to terror," he said in a tersely worded statement. "I am shocked to see Hamas welcome the terror attack. Leaders must stand against violence and the incitement that fuels it, not condone it."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene minutes after arriving back from a two-day visit to Moscow. He described the attacks as "cold-blooded murder" and vowed retaliation.
"We held a consultation about a series of offensive and defensive measures that we will implement," he said. "We will locate anyone who cooperated with this attack and we will act firmly and intelligently to fight terrorism."
Israel had announced last week it was relaxing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, mainly from the West Bank, but also those living in Gaza, during Ramadan.
It had planned to allowed up to 500 people from Gaza to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on the Temple Mount in East Jerusalem over the holy month, which began on Monday.
Michael Feige 58
Eyewitnesses of deadly shoting in Tel Aviv, that claimed lives of four, recall the panic, chaos and fear that took diners totally by surprise; meanwhile, Palestinians celebrate the attack.
The two terrorists, who wearing suits, white shirts, and ties, and sitting in the popular dessert restaurant ‘Max Brenner’ at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, never raised anyone’s suspicion.
Dozens of diners in the restaurant, who never gave them a second glance, were shocked when the two terrorists suddenly got up from their tables and opened fire, shooting in all directions, claiming four lives and wounding 16.
“I was sitting in the restaurant and they were acting like regular customers,” recalled the Max Brenner branch manager. “They had bags and they ordered something to eat. Suddenly they pulled guns out and started firing. They didn’t shout anything. The two of them simply took the guns out and opened fire.”
Initial reports indicated that the two were dressed as ultra-Orthodox Jews. However, eye-witnesses said that the terrorists were dressed formally, wearing suits, ties, white shirts and black pants. “They didn’t look like ultra-Orthodox people, more like lawyers,” recalled Yosef Jibrin, who works as a barman in Max Brenner.
“When the shooting began people tried to flee into our kitchen. I also fled and then I returned to the restaurant to see if there were any more people. I saw wounded people on the floor and helped one of them until a paramedic arrived.”
Anna, who witnessed the attack also recounted the macabre turmoil: “They simply left the restaurant and started firing in all directions, inside the restaurant and outside.”
“There was blood on the floor. I saw wounded people and also the terrorist. I ran from the scene and hid. I found a shop and went into it. Everyone was on the floor.”
Josian Tobias Will, 66, was sitting with her friends at the Fushun coffee shop adjacent to the scene of the attack. “I saw through the window people running in panic,” she recalled. “I didn’t understand what happened and then I heard the shooting. We threw ourselves onto the floor in panic. After a few seconds someone said ‘come into the kitchen,’ so my friends and I went in. People started calling (their friends and family) like crazy and in panic. Ten minutes later the manager of the place took us out and said that they thought the terrorists were in the building. We went into the yard and waited another hour for the police. It was chaotic and there a lot of rumors.”
Another eyewitness nearby described the relentless shooting and how she narrowly escaped a deadly encounter. “I ran to Super-Pharm (pharmacy) and the terrorist began running in my direction,” she said. “They told us to hide and I tried to escape. I saw someone who had been shot in the chest lying on the ground and next to him was a woman who woman screaming. I tried to calm her down and then the police and paramedics arrived."
Meanwhile, Palestinians barely waited an hour to begin their celebrations of the terror attack on Sarona Market.
In the West Bank city of Tulkarem, Palestinians were handing out Baklava, cookies, and other sweets while in Hebron, Palestinian residents set off fireworks to celebrate the attack.
Hamas sent a message Wednesday night saying "these acts of bravery in Tel Aviv are the first signs of Ramadan, and the first surprise waiting in store for the Zionist enemy this Ramadan."
A high ranking Hamas official in Gaza, Mushir al-Masri, said that the attack was "a natural reaction to Israeli crimes."
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Daoud Shihab, said Wednesday night that "the attacks tonight revealed the fragility of Israeli security. These are natural reactions to the crimes of the occupation."
Eyewitnesses of deadly shoting in Tel Aviv, that claimed lives of four, recall the panic, chaos and fear that took diners totally by surprise; meanwhile, Palestinians celebrate the attack.
The two terrorists, who wearing suits, white shirts, and ties, and sitting in the popular dessert restaurant ‘Max Brenner’ at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, never raised anyone’s suspicion.
Dozens of diners in the restaurant, who never gave them a second glance, were shocked when the two terrorists suddenly got up from their tables and opened fire, shooting in all directions, claiming four lives and wounding 16.
“I was sitting in the restaurant and they were acting like regular customers,” recalled the Max Brenner branch manager. “They had bags and they ordered something to eat. Suddenly they pulled guns out and started firing. They didn’t shout anything. The two of them simply took the guns out and opened fire.”
Initial reports indicated that the two were dressed as ultra-Orthodox Jews. However, eye-witnesses said that the terrorists were dressed formally, wearing suits, ties, white shirts and black pants. “They didn’t look like ultra-Orthodox people, more like lawyers,” recalled Yosef Jibrin, who works as a barman in Max Brenner.
“When the shooting began people tried to flee into our kitchen. I also fled and then I returned to the restaurant to see if there were any more people. I saw wounded people on the floor and helped one of them until a paramedic arrived.”
Anna, who witnessed the attack also recounted the macabre turmoil: “They simply left the restaurant and started firing in all directions, inside the restaurant and outside.”
“There was blood on the floor. I saw wounded people and also the terrorist. I ran from the scene and hid. I found a shop and went into it. Everyone was on the floor.”
Josian Tobias Will, 66, was sitting with her friends at the Fushun coffee shop adjacent to the scene of the attack. “I saw through the window people running in panic,” she recalled. “I didn’t understand what happened and then I heard the shooting. We threw ourselves onto the floor in panic. After a few seconds someone said ‘come into the kitchen,’ so my friends and I went in. People started calling (their friends and family) like crazy and in panic. Ten minutes later the manager of the place took us out and said that they thought the terrorists were in the building. We went into the yard and waited another hour for the police. It was chaotic and there a lot of rumors.”
Another eyewitness nearby described the relentless shooting and how she narrowly escaped a deadly encounter. “I ran to Super-Pharm (pharmacy) and the terrorist began running in my direction,” she said. “They told us to hide and I tried to escape. I saw someone who had been shot in the chest lying on the ground and next to him was a woman who woman screaming. I tried to calm her down and then the police and paramedics arrived."
Meanwhile, Palestinians barely waited an hour to begin their celebrations of the terror attack on Sarona Market.
In the West Bank city of Tulkarem, Palestinians were handing out Baklava, cookies, and other sweets while in Hebron, Palestinian residents set off fireworks to celebrate the attack.
Hamas sent a message Wednesday night saying "these acts of bravery in Tel Aviv are the first signs of Ramadan, and the first surprise waiting in store for the Zionist enemy this Ramadan."
A high ranking Hamas official in Gaza, Mushir al-Masri, said that the attack was "a natural reaction to Israeli crimes."
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Daoud Shihab, said Wednesday night that "the attacks tonight revealed the fragility of Israeli security. These are natural reactions to the crimes of the occupation."
8 june 2016
Mohammed Ahmad Khamamreh 19
Four Israelis were killed and several others injured, Wednesday night, in a shooting that took place in Tel Aviv by two Palestinian youth.
The two shooters, cousins in their early twenties, are reportedly from Yatta city, southern West Bank. One of them was arrested and taken in for questioning, while the other, who was injured, was taken to a hospital.
The attackers were disguised as ultra-Orthodox Jews when they entered a cafe in Tel Aviv.
Father of one of the youths, Ahmad Khamamreh, said that his son, Mohammad, is not affiliated to any political party or organization, and that the family was utterly shocked when they heard about him in the news.
“They [cousins] left the house wearing suits, which they never do, they always wear jeans and a T-shirts like all the guys here [in Yatta]. but I never expected them to do anything like this. They were not involved in such things at all,” Ahmad told PNN in an interview.
Ahmad says that the two left Yatta at about 9 AM, and that the family had lost contact with them and started searching for them in the city.
This went on until the Iftar time, sunset, when the family then called the PA security in Hebron, who also did not have the cousins. They then heard about the shooting in the news.
“After a long search we heard that there have been an operative in Tel Aviv and we were told that they might be our sons since the news said they were cousins, both in their twenties and from Yatta.”
In response to the shooting, Israel has cancelled entry permits for 83,000 Palestinians during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Following the attack, as well, Israeli Forces broke into the family home of the Palestinian attackers in Yatta, and measured it for demolition.
“The [soldiers] searched the house, asked me about him and asked me where he sleeps… I answered that my son does not have his own house and sleeps here in a room with his siblings. Then they brought an engineer and took measurements of the house,” Ahmad said.
Soldiers have also closed down all the entrances and exits of the city, and are searching all the cars passing there.
The political situation has been worsening since October of 2015, between Palestinians and Israelis, with the escalation of Israeli confiscation of land, executions and imprisonments. Since then, 32 Israelis, two visiting US citizens, and some 218 Palestinians have been killed.
Four Israelis were killed and several others injured, Wednesday night, in a shooting that took place in Tel Aviv by two Palestinian youth.
The two shooters, cousins in their early twenties, are reportedly from Yatta city, southern West Bank. One of them was arrested and taken in for questioning, while the other, who was injured, was taken to a hospital.
The attackers were disguised as ultra-Orthodox Jews when they entered a cafe in Tel Aviv.
Father of one of the youths, Ahmad Khamamreh, said that his son, Mohammad, is not affiliated to any political party or organization, and that the family was utterly shocked when they heard about him in the news.
“They [cousins] left the house wearing suits, which they never do, they always wear jeans and a T-shirts like all the guys here [in Yatta]. but I never expected them to do anything like this. They were not involved in such things at all,” Ahmad told PNN in an interview.
Ahmad says that the two left Yatta at about 9 AM, and that the family had lost contact with them and started searching for them in the city.
This went on until the Iftar time, sunset, when the family then called the PA security in Hebron, who also did not have the cousins. They then heard about the shooting in the news.
“After a long search we heard that there have been an operative in Tel Aviv and we were told that they might be our sons since the news said they were cousins, both in their twenties and from Yatta.”
In response to the shooting, Israel has cancelled entry permits for 83,000 Palestinians during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Following the attack, as well, Israeli Forces broke into the family home of the Palestinian attackers in Yatta, and measured it for demolition.
“The [soldiers] searched the house, asked me about him and asked me where he sleeps… I answered that my son does not have his own house and sleeps here in a room with his siblings. Then they brought an engineer and took measurements of the house,” Ahmad said.
Soldiers have also closed down all the entrances and exits of the city, and are searching all the cars passing there.
The political situation has been worsening since October of 2015, between Palestinians and Israelis, with the escalation of Israeli confiscation of land, executions and imprisonments. Since then, 32 Israelis, two visiting US citizens, and some 218 Palestinians have been killed.
Idan Ben-Ari 42 (picture)
Ilana Nave 39
Michael Faygel 58
Mila Mishayev 32
A terrorist attack at Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, adjacent to Ministry of defense; IDF HQ, has left four dead and at least 16 wounded, one of them critically; two terrorists have been neutralized; police and Tel Aviv mayor ask citizens to resume daily routine.
Four people have been killed and 16 people have been wounded in a terror attack at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv in a terror attack. Two alleged terrorists have been neutralized at the scene. One of the terroists have died, the other is being treated in the hospital in critical condition.
The four people who killed were named as: Idan Ben-Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan; Ilana Nave, 39, from Tel Aviv; Michael Faygel, 58 from Midreshet Ben-Gurion; Mila Mishayev, 32, from Rishon Lezion
Multiple shots were heard at the open-air shopping center in the heart of Tel Aviv, adjacent to IDF and Ministry of Defense headquarters, the Kirya. Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived at the scene and declared multiple wounded, and their paramedics evacuated wounded persons to Ichilov and Tel Hashomer Medical Centers.
Of the 16 wounded, four died, and three are still in the hospital.
The terrorists, two cousins from Yatta in the Hebron area, sat at the popular restaurant Max Brenner before they set out on their shooting spree. They wore suits and ordered food before they set out killing indiscriminately.
The restaurant's manager said, "I was sitting in the restaurant, and they got up and started shooting. Before that, they had ordered someting to eat and acted like any other customer...They had bags with them; they didn't shout anything, just took out their weapons and started shooting."
One of the terrorists shot with an improvised weapon that he left behind when he fled, though he was soon shot. The Israel Police and Shin Bet immediately took him for questioning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed at Ben Gurion International Airport, returning from his visit to Russia, and he proceeded immediately to the Kirya to hold a security meeting.
Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman was in his office a the Kirya at the time of the attack and has been kept up to date with updates.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai commented on the incident, "It was a hard night in Tel Aviv. There was another attack in which terrorists, who were apparently sitting at a coffee shop, hid their weapons and then started firing indiscriminately.
"We ask the public to remain calm. We in Tel Aviv are a target of terrorism, and they are trying to disrupt our lives. We will continue to enjoy living in the city, and terrorism will not make us surrender. I ask everyone to return to their daily routine tomorrow."
Tomer, who came to Sarona to enjoy the evening, said, "We were sitting outside and a round of bullets (were fired). Everyone started running. This is not like a normal terror attack. The shots were fired for at least a minute. There was a large panic, and we were asked to go inside the building. They held and kept us (there), and then they came to check that we were okay. We are waiting for them to open the roads so that we can leave. We have not seen such a thing in a long time."
A young woman who was hiding in a store until now, said, "I was sitting near Max Brenner and I saw shots fired. They were fired incessantly in all directions. I ran to the Super-Pharm and (the assailant) then ran toward me. I was then told to hide and I tried to escape."
The Israel Police announced at around 10:20pm, "As of now, the public can return to their daily routine; however, they are requested to employ high vigilance and call the police at 100 to report any suspicious event."
Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon called on the secretary general and the security council, "Definitively condemn murderous Palestinian terrorism."
3 Israelis reported killed; 5 wounded in shooting at Tel Aviv market next to Ministry of Defense
Israeli sources have reported that 3 Israeli civilians have been killed, and at least 5 wounded, as shots were heard at a market in central Tel Aviv Wednesday evening.
At the time of this report, few details are known about the incident – the identity of the alleged shooter has not been released. The Israeli police reported that the alleged attacker has been “neutralized”, and reporters on the scene say that they saw him lying on the sidewalk handcuffed.
Police say they believe there is a second suspect, and have deployed officers into the surrounding neighborhoods in a search.
Israeli police also stated that they are considering the shooting to be a terrorist attack.
The incident took place Wednesday evening at Sarona market, which opened in 2015 and calls itself Israel’s “biggest indoor food market”. There are 89 stores and stalls in the market, and owners estimate that the market gets around 10,000 visitors a day.
AmichaiStein on Twitter published a few seconds of video of a police officer firing several shots, although the video does not show any person on the block where the officer is standing, so it is unclear at whom he is shooting.
Ilana Nave 39
Michael Faygel 58
Mila Mishayev 32
A terrorist attack at Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, adjacent to Ministry of defense; IDF HQ, has left four dead and at least 16 wounded, one of them critically; two terrorists have been neutralized; police and Tel Aviv mayor ask citizens to resume daily routine.
Four people have been killed and 16 people have been wounded in a terror attack at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv in a terror attack. Two alleged terrorists have been neutralized at the scene. One of the terroists have died, the other is being treated in the hospital in critical condition.
The four people who killed were named as: Idan Ben-Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan; Ilana Nave, 39, from Tel Aviv; Michael Faygel, 58 from Midreshet Ben-Gurion; Mila Mishayev, 32, from Rishon Lezion
Multiple shots were heard at the open-air shopping center in the heart of Tel Aviv, adjacent to IDF and Ministry of Defense headquarters, the Kirya. Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived at the scene and declared multiple wounded, and their paramedics evacuated wounded persons to Ichilov and Tel Hashomer Medical Centers.
Of the 16 wounded, four died, and three are still in the hospital.
The terrorists, two cousins from Yatta in the Hebron area, sat at the popular restaurant Max Brenner before they set out on their shooting spree. They wore suits and ordered food before they set out killing indiscriminately.
The restaurant's manager said, "I was sitting in the restaurant, and they got up and started shooting. Before that, they had ordered someting to eat and acted like any other customer...They had bags with them; they didn't shout anything, just took out their weapons and started shooting."
One of the terrorists shot with an improvised weapon that he left behind when he fled, though he was soon shot. The Israel Police and Shin Bet immediately took him for questioning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed at Ben Gurion International Airport, returning from his visit to Russia, and he proceeded immediately to the Kirya to hold a security meeting.
Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman was in his office a the Kirya at the time of the attack and has been kept up to date with updates.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai commented on the incident, "It was a hard night in Tel Aviv. There was another attack in which terrorists, who were apparently sitting at a coffee shop, hid their weapons and then started firing indiscriminately.
"We ask the public to remain calm. We in Tel Aviv are a target of terrorism, and they are trying to disrupt our lives. We will continue to enjoy living in the city, and terrorism will not make us surrender. I ask everyone to return to their daily routine tomorrow."
Tomer, who came to Sarona to enjoy the evening, said, "We were sitting outside and a round of bullets (were fired). Everyone started running. This is not like a normal terror attack. The shots were fired for at least a minute. There was a large panic, and we were asked to go inside the building. They held and kept us (there), and then they came to check that we were okay. We are waiting for them to open the roads so that we can leave. We have not seen such a thing in a long time."
A young woman who was hiding in a store until now, said, "I was sitting near Max Brenner and I saw shots fired. They were fired incessantly in all directions. I ran to the Super-Pharm and (the assailant) then ran toward me. I was then told to hide and I tried to escape."
The Israel Police announced at around 10:20pm, "As of now, the public can return to their daily routine; however, they are requested to employ high vigilance and call the police at 100 to report any suspicious event."
Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon called on the secretary general and the security council, "Definitively condemn murderous Palestinian terrorism."
3 Israelis reported killed; 5 wounded in shooting at Tel Aviv market next to Ministry of Defense
Israeli sources have reported that 3 Israeli civilians have been killed, and at least 5 wounded, as shots were heard at a market in central Tel Aviv Wednesday evening.
At the time of this report, few details are known about the incident – the identity of the alleged shooter has not been released. The Israeli police reported that the alleged attacker has been “neutralized”, and reporters on the scene say that they saw him lying on the sidewalk handcuffed.
Police say they believe there is a second suspect, and have deployed officers into the surrounding neighborhoods in a search.
Israeli police also stated that they are considering the shooting to be a terrorist attack.
The incident took place Wednesday evening at Sarona market, which opened in 2015 and calls itself Israel’s “biggest indoor food market”. There are 89 stores and stalls in the market, and owners estimate that the market gets around 10,000 visitors a day.
AmichaiStein on Twitter published a few seconds of video of a police officer firing several shots, although the video does not show any person on the block where the officer is standing, so it is unclear at whom he is shooting.
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