Attempted Joint Terrorist Stabbing in Beit Ha'Shalom: Both Terrorist Killed

Jerusalem, 20 October, 2015 (TPS) -- Two terrorists attempted a joint stabbing attack on Tuesday, October 20 at around 9:30pm in the community of Beit Ha’Shalom.

Initial reports indicated that gun shots were fired by the terrorists. However, it emerged that the attackers were armed only with knives. A recording of security communication shortly after the incident stated that “two terrorists approached the entrance of Beit Ha’Shalom and tried to stab the soldiers present. The soldiers fired on them. No injuries to our personnel. The terrorists have been neutralized.”

The IDF spokesperson unit subsequently issued an initial statement saying that “two Palestinians came to the the building in which to soldiers were standing. One terrorist stabbed one of the soldiers, who was lightly wounded, while the second soldier responded by shooting and effectively neutralizing both terrorists.”

Tens of residents from Kiriyat Arba near the scene of the incident attempted to march to Beit Ha’Shalom in protest. Nevertheless, police swiftly blocked their path and proceeded to impose restriction in the area in order to conduct security checks.

The attack is the fourth to have taken place on the same day. A soldier was lightly wounded during an earlier attempted stabbing in Negohot. Stones were also thrown earlier at a travelling car causing a man to crash. The man, after exiting his vehicle, was struck by a truck in what was reported to be a deliberate vehicular attack.

Two Israelis were also wounded in a vehicular terrorist attack at Gush Etzion Junction at around 3:40pm The terrorist was shot and killed at the scene.