Terror attack stopped this morning as armed civilian shoots, kills assailant

A terrorist wielding a screwdriver was shot dead on a bus after he started to stab one of the passengers – a young man who was hospitalized in serious condition,

An armed passenger shot the assailant immediately after recognizing what was happening.

The attack took place in the West Bank, where Jewish and Palestinian communities are side by side. The Israel Defense Forces reported the attack occurred on a bus in Elazar, in the Gush Etzion community. The 33-year-old Palestinian was shot and killed.

This incident comes on the heels of three deadly attacks in Israel in one week that left 11 dead and the country on high alert, especially as the typically tense Muslim month of Ramadan approaches.

Just yesterday, in an address to the nation while he quarantines with COVID-19, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that civilians who have permits should carry their weapons.

“What is expected of you, citizens of Israel? Alertness and responsibility. Open your eyes. Whoever has a license to carry a weapon, this is the time to carry it,” he said.

Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah called for his terror group’s armed wing to be on “high alert” as well, after clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians took place this morning in Jenin, the city where the Bnei Brak shooter lived. In the Jenin raid, two Palestinians were killed, according to health officials. The IDF said one Israeli soldier was injured.

“This morning, IDF and Israel Border Police troops operated in Jenin to apprehend suspects. During the activity, Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the troops. IDF troops responded with fire,” the army said in a statement. “We are aware of reports of injured Palestinians.”

Also this morning, right-wing Knesset Member Itamar Ben Gvir – who had requested special permission to ascend to the Temple Mount, the plaza of al Aqsa Mosque – entered the compound with a police escort.

“The message of my visit is simple: I don’t surrender and I don’t fold,” he said. “The State of Israel must not give in to those terrorists who want to murder us all.”

Some officials feared that his visit would be incendiary. Ben Gvir frequently clashes with Arabs and shows up at the scene of terror attacks to protest.

Ram Ben Barak, head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said the police should not have allowed Ben Gvir to visit.

“Ben Gvir and Hamas have a common interest: To stir up trouble,” he said. “As far as Ben Gvir is concerned, if the visit passes without incident, it will be a missed opportunity.”

Last night, U.S. President Joe Biden called Bennett to offer condolences and express support for Israel during what appears to be a new wave of terrorism.

At an emergency security cabinet meeting last night, ministers decided to go forward with easing restrictions for Palestinians during Ramadan despite the attacks. Bennett had announced this easing in addition to increasing the number of work permits for Gazans during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit earlier this week.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he will ramp up security and bolster police forces with 1,000 soldiers and calling up reservists if need be. Israel Police also asked for more funding in order to expand its capabilities.

Last year, Ramadan tensions eventually led to an 11-day war between Israel and terror groups in Gaza, in addition to violence between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel.