Deadly Shooting Attack Near Kochav Yair Leaves 1 Killed and 5 Wounded Across 3 Scenes

(Photo: MDA Spokesperson)

Large security forces were rushed this morning (Sunday) to three different scenes in the Sharon area בעקבות a shooting attack at a gas station and nearby locations. MDA reported that one of the victims died of his wounds at the scene. Four additional wounded people were evacuated to hospitals with varying degrees of injury, including one in serious condition. Among the wounded were also a 61-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, who were hurt in the Tzur Natan and Tzur Yitzhak area and are listed in moderate condition. 

Police said that one terrorist was neutralized and that additional searches were underway. According to security officials, the terrorist killed at the scene was an Arab-Israeli citizen. According to reports, the second terrorist was located and killed. According to officials in the security establishment, the terrorist who was neutralized is an Israeli citizen from Tayibe who holds an Israeli ID card.

Senior MDA medic Walid Diwani said: "I arrived at the scene at the gas station in Kochav Yair and saw a man lying on the ground near the fuel pumps, while passersby were trying to help him. I got out of the ambulance יחד with the medic who was with me, and we began providing initial medical treatment. During the treatment, civilians at the scene called out to me and reported another wounded person in a nearby restaurant." 

The medic continued: "While the medic was treating the wounded man, I took the emergency equipment and ran to the restaurant, where I saw another man suffering from extremely severe injuries. He was pale and breathing slowly, and I saw two MDA responders who had already begun giving him medical care. I returned to the first wounded man, we brought him into the ambulance, and we relayed ongoing updates to MDA's 101 emergency dispatch center while evacuating him."

The Prime Minister's Office said that "Prime Minister Netanyahu held a situational assessment and is following the murderous shooting attack on the seam line closely."

IDF Spokesperson updated: "IDF forces, in coordination with security forces, were dispatched a short while ago to Sela'it and Tzur Yitzhak following reports of several shooting incidents in the area. The terrorist was neutralized at the scene. The forces, together with additional medical personnel, began extensive searches in the area for additional terrorists and are providing medical treatment to the wounded. Additional forces are on their way to the scene."

The IDF Spokesperson also said that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is currently holding a phone-based situational assessment with Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, during a visit to the Gaza Strip, together with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor and Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Bitito. The chief of staff received an initial picture of the details of the attack and issued instructions for continued operational activity.

The initial report was received at 10:34 a.m. by MDA's 101 dispatch center in the Yarkon region. Once the call came in, MDA medics and paramedics were sent to the scene and began providing medical treatment to the two victims at the gas station.

The municipality told residents: "Due to concern over a security incident in the community, all residents are asked to remain inside their homes until further notice and follow the instructions of the security forces. In addition, kindergartens and educational institutions were instructed not to go out into the courtyards until the incident ends and a new update is issued. We ask everyone to stay alert, avoid gatherings, and continue following official updates. We will update further according to developments".

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