Terror in Israel: IDF officer murdered in Beit Kama stabbing attack

A terrorist carried out a stabbing attack on Thursday in the Beit Kama junction in Israel's South, Israel Police said.

The knife-wielding terrorist was killed on the scene and has been identified as Fadi Abu Eltaif, 22 years old. Eltaif held Israeli citizenship and had been living in Israel since 2019, although he was originally from the Gaza Strip. Both his parents currently reside in the Gaza Strip.

The victim, Senior Warrant Officer Uri Moyal, 51 years old from Dimona, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday night, according to a statement by Dimona mayor Benny Bitton.

Moyal was initially rushed to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba after the attack. 

Those on the scene of the attack

"We arrived at the scene with large forces. We saw a lot of commotion, and near one of the shops, a 50-year-old man was lying unconscious and suffering from penetrating wounds to his body.

"We immediately put him in an MDA intensive care vehicle and evacuated him to the hospital in critical condition while CPR was being performed," the MDA statement read. 

According to an eyewitness on the scene of the attack, "We saw a soldier arguing with someone. We heard continuous gunfire and managed to escape from the back exit. Everyone there was scared."

Police have been spread throughout Israel to enforce security following the attack, according to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai. "I call on the public to be aware of suspicious people and items. We will continue our efforts and are activating special forces and volunteers to cover all the hotspots throughout the country," Shabtai stated.

According to police reports, there were early signs prior to the incident that signaled the Eltaif's intent to carry out the attack.

On Thursday evening, police raided Eltaif's family's home and arrested several of his relatives for interrogation done by the Shin Bet. Eltaif has no prior criminal record. 

This is a developing story.