Two Killed in Terrorist Attack in Northern Israel; Palestinian Attacker Arrested

On Friday, December 26, in an attack described by Israeli officials as a "combined terrorist attack," a young girl and a 68-year-old man were killed in northern Israel, and several others were injured. According to officials, the attacker was a Palestinian citizen residing in the West Bank who initially struck pedestrians with his vehicle and then attacked a young woman with a knife. The Israeli police reported that this incident occurred around noon on Friday, December 26, on routes leading to the city of Beit She'an and near Ein Harod in northern Israel. Officials say the attacker first ran over several pedestrians with his car, among whom a 68-year-old man was severely injured and died at the scene. The attacker then exited his vehicle near Ein Harod and attacked a young woman, approximately 19 years old, with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds that ultimately led to her death while being transported to the hospital. According to the police, the attack occurred at several locations within a short period. Security forces began a search operation after declaring a state of emergency, and ultimately, the attacker was shot and wounded while attempting to flee by either an armed citizen or police forces. Official sources confirmed that the attacker was arrested alive and taken to the hospital, where he is currently being interrogated to clarify the details of this attack and potentially identify any accomplices. The "Magen David Adom" emergency organization confirmed the identity and age of the victims, reporting that both were Israeli citizens. Local media have also released their names and places of residence. Senior officials from the Israeli police and army condemned the attack and announced the deployment of additional forces in parts of northern Israel. They also stated that security operations in the city where the attacker resided in the West Bank are being examined to identify any supporting network, if it exists. With rising tensions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the security alert level in Israel has increased. Security officials have warned of the possibility of individual attacks known as "lone wolf" attacks and emphasized the readiness of army and police forces to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is working to establish "sustainable and lasting peace" in Gaza, with significant behind-the-scenes planning underway for the second phase of the peace agreement.