Foiled!

Two attempts to attack Israelis were foiled over the weekend. On Saturday a 17 year old assailant was killed by Border Police as he attempted to stab two Yeshiva students at the Central Bus Station. “The hospital said the two students were in stable condition and suffered stab wounds to their upper bodies.” The young assailant, Basil Shawamra, came from Deir al Asal al Fauqua, in the Hebron area.

Earlier Monday another stabbing occurred in the West Bank, “in which a Palestinian man tried to stab two IDF soldiers at a hitchhiking station, but was shot before he could inflict harm, according to the military.” The gunshot wounded his hand and he was transported to Shaare Zedek with a moderate to serious wound to his hand.

Tensions in Israel have increased since the dramatic escape of six prisoners, causing an escalation of increased attacks as noted by the Jerusalem Police Chief, including an outburst of gunfire directed at security officers in the Jenin region, and rockets fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip Sunday evening. Four of the six escapees have been captured with two remaining at large.

Public Security Minister Omer Barlev commended the Border Police for successfully stopping the attack at the Central Bus Station, writing from his Twitter account, “Congratulations to the Border Police patrol that successfully stopped the attack at the bus station in Jerusalem. A heroine who bravely strove for contact with the terrorist and handled the situation with professionalism, speed, and sharpness.”

Pray for the safety of both Israel’s military and the police force as they strive to keep all Israeli residents safe.

(Source: Times of Israel)