Israel: One dead, one injured in knife attack in shopping mall

The attack took place in Karmiel, a city in the northern district of the country. The assailant was shot dead by one of his victims, police said.

One Israeli was killed and another injured in a stabbing attack at a shopping mall in the northern city of Karmiel, police and emergency services said.

The Magen David Adom ambulance service said the two injured were taken to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. One of the victims, aged in his 20s, was in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries.

The local police chief added that one of the young men who was stabbed had managed to shoot the assailant and to the “neutralize“.

Security officials later identified the attacker as an Israeli citizen from the Arab town of Nahf, The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli police spokesman Eli Levy said security forces were not ruling out the possibility of further such attacks in the area.

Karmiel Mayor Moshe Koninski told state broadcaster Kan: “Unfortunately, this is the first time we have witnessed such an event (…) This is a shopping center used by most of the local residents. I hear a lot of speculation about the identity of [l’assaillant]but we will let the police complete their investigation.“.

According to The Jerusalem Post, police have already arrested most of the family members of the attacker. The media adds that the Shin Bet forces, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, are planning to destroy their home. This practice of demolishing properties is considered by the Israeli authorities as a form of deterrence of terrorism.

Hamas officials denied any involvement in the attack, but called it a “natural consequence” of the war in Gaza.