Deadly Combined Terror Attack in Northern Israel Leaves Two Dead and a Teen Injured

A combined terror attack in northern Israel on Friday left a 19-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man dead, and a 16-year-old boy lightly injured, after a Palestinian assailant carried out a series of vehicle-ramming and stabbing attacks in the Beit Shean Valley area.

The suspect, an illegal Palestinian resident from the village of Qabatia in northern Samaria, was later neutralized after fleeing the scene.

Sequence of the Attacks

According to police and emergency services, the attack began in Beit Shean. On Hashomron Street, a 68-year-old man was struck by a vehicle. Magen David Adom (MDA) medics attempted resuscitation but were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene.

Shortly afterward, on Yaakov Machlof Street, the suspect struck a 16-year-old boy with his vehicle. The teenager was evacuated to Afula Hospital in mild condition.

The attacker then drove toward Highway 71. Near the Ein Harod area, he rammed a kibbutz vehicle in which the 19-year-old woman was traveling. According to investigators, after the collision, the suspect pursued the woman and stabbed her nearby.

Emergency Response

MDA physician Dr. Ravid Pietro and paramedic Paddy Tantori said the victim was found unconscious with penetrating injuries.

“She was lying beyond the roadside barrier,” they said. “Despite medical treatment, her injuries were critical and she was pronounced dead.”

The young woman’s parents arrived at the scene shortly after the attack.

Suspect Neutralized

Following the stabbing, the suspect fled toward Afula. His vehicle came to a stop near the city, where he was neutralized at the Dormitory Junction by a passerby. He was later evacuated to hospital in moderate condition under police guard.

Highway 71 was closed to traffic in both directions in the Afula area as security forces conducted searches and forensic work.

Official Responses

Police Commissioner Danny Levy arrived at the scene near Kibbutz Tel Yosef and described the incident as “very serious.”

“Thanks to the intervention of a security civilian, the attack was stopped and the terrorist was neutralized,” Levy said, adding that the investigation is being conducted jointly with the Shin Bet.

Police said inquiries are ongoing across all locations connected to the attack.

Government Reaction

Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to take immediate action in Qabatia.

“Every terrorist must be located and thwarted, and terrorist infrastructure must be destroyed,” Katz said. “Anyone who aids terrorism will pay a heavy price.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir renewed calls for legislation imposing the death penalty on terrorists.

“This attack once again demonstrates the urgent need for deterrence,” Ben-Gvir said.

Broader Security Context

Security officials noted that the suspect’s village has been the focus of recent IDF activity under Operation “Five Stones,” during which dozens of suspects were arrested and multiple raids were conducted in northern Samaria.

Earlier on Friday, a separate ramming attack occurred in the Aduriyim area of the western Hebron Hills, where a terrorist accelerated into an IDF vehicle. Four soldiers were lightly injured. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning.

Authorities said security forces remain on high alert amid continued concerns over copycat attacks.