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| Palestinian man stabs people on Tel Aviv rush-hour bus | Palestinian man stabs people on Tel Aviv rush-hour bus |
| (42 minutes later) | |
| JERUSALEM — A Palestinian man attacked at least nine people on a crowded bus during rush hour in central Tel Aviv Wednesday morning, stabbing seven and leaving four critically injured, Israeli authorities said. | |
| The 23-year-old Palestinian suspect was then shot in the legs and apprehended by security officers traveling nearby, Israeli Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. He said the man was from the West Bank Palestinian town of Tulkarem. Palestinian media identified him as Hamza Matrouk. | |
| An eye-witness, identified only as Yaakov by Israel Army Radio, said that the attacker first started stabbing the bus driver, who attempted to overpower him, and then turned towards passengers, who tried to flee. | An eye-witness, identified only as Yaakov by Israel Army Radio, said that the attacker first started stabbing the bus driver, who attempted to overpower him, and then turned towards passengers, who tried to flee. |
| The attack left at least four people in critical condition, Israel’s first aid agency Magen David Adom reported. At least a dozen people were also treated for shock. | |
| Police went on high alert after the early morning incident, which occured during the morning rush-hour in Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial heart. | |
| “I was at the back and understood immediately from the screaming what was happening, people were suddenly running towards me and it was only luck that saved me,” said Yaakov, who was suffering from shock. Suddenly the doors opened and people ran off the bus screaming and the attacker followed them, he said. | “I was at the back and understood immediately from the screaming what was happening, people were suddenly running towards me and it was only luck that saved me,” said Yaakov, who was suffering from shock. Suddenly the doors opened and people ran off the bus screaming and the attacker followed them, he said. |
| Moses Collins, who was traveling nearby, said that he suddenly saw the doors of the bus open and people running off screaming. | Moses Collins, who was traveling nearby, said that he suddenly saw the doors of the bus open and people running off screaming. |
| “I saw a lot of blood, too much blood, it was not easy, I tried to help people,” he said. | “I saw a lot of blood, too much blood, it was not easy, I tried to help people,” he said. |
| Izzat Risheq, a leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza strip, called the attack a “heroic and a brave operation.” | Izzat Risheq, a leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza strip, called the attack a “heroic and a brave operation.” |
| “It is a natural reaction to the occupation crimes and terrorism against our people,” said Risheq, writing on Twitter. | “It is a natural reaction to the occupation crimes and terrorism against our people,” said Risheq, writing on Twitter. |
| Israel and Hamas fought grueling 50-day war last summer, which left more than 2,000 people dead, the overwhelming majority Palestinians in Gaza, according to United Nations figures. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been rising steadily ever since. | |
| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Wednesday’s attack on the “venomous incitement” of the Palestinian Authority, which runs the West Bank, including its president Mahmoud Abbas, towards Jews and their state. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Wednesday’s attack on the “venomous incitement” of the Palestinian Authority, which runs the West Bank, including its president Mahmoud Abbas, towards Jews and their state. |
| “Hamas, Abbas’ partner in the unity government, hurried to welcome this act -- the same Hamas that announced it will sue Israel in the ICC,” said Netanyahu, referring to recent steps taken by the Palestinians to prosecute Israelis for human rights violations in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. | “Hamas, Abbas’ partner in the unity government, hurried to welcome this act -- the same Hamas that announced it will sue Israel in the ICC,” said Netanyahu, referring to recent steps taken by the Palestinians to prosecute Israelis for human rights violations in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. |
| Other Israeli ministers, including hard-line Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, also said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was “responsible for the terror attack in Tel Aviv by inciting against Israel night and day.” | Other Israeli ministers, including hard-line Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, also said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was “responsible for the terror attack in Tel Aviv by inciting against Israel night and day.” |
| Wednesday’s attack was the second stabbing attack to take place in the heart of Tel Aviv in as many months. In early November, an Israeli soldier was stabbed and killed by a Palestinian man next to a busy train station, also in the city center. | Wednesday’s attack was the second stabbing attack to take place in the heart of Tel Aviv in as many months. In early November, an Israeli soldier was stabbed and killed by a Palestinian man next to a busy train station, also in the city center. |
| Since the summer war in Gaza, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been running high, with both sides experiencing an upswing in violence. | Since the summer war in Gaza, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been running high, with both sides experiencing an upswing in violence. |
| At least 12 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians both within Israel and in the West Bank, including an attack on a Jerusalem synagogue where two Palestinians killed four Israelis worshipers and a police officer. | At least 12 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians both within Israel and in the West Bank, including an attack on a Jerusalem synagogue where two Palestinians killed four Israelis worshipers and a police officer. |
| Tensions have also been high in the Palestinian areas, with Palestinian news agency Maan reporting that more than 50 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank at the hands of the Israeli military in 2014, the highest number in decades. | Tensions have also been high in the Palestinian areas, with Palestinian news agency Maan reporting that more than 50 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank at the hands of the Israeli military in 2014, the highest number in decades. |
| This week has also seen some violent protests inside Israel by Arab citizens after two residents of the Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel were shot dead by Israeli police. | This week has also seen some violent protests inside Israel by Arab citizens after two residents of the Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel were shot dead by Israeli police. |
| Daniela Deane in London and Hazem Balousha in Gaza contributed to this report. | Daniela Deane in London and Hazem Balousha in Gaza contributed to this report. |