Deadly Ramming and Stabbing Attack in Israel Leaves Two Dead

Tue Feb 03 2026 13:00:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A suspected Palestinian perpetrated a ramming and knife attack in northern Israel, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries. The incident has raised concerns amidst escalating tensions in the region.

In a tragic incident in northern Israel, a suspected Palestinian attacker killed two people and wounded others in what police have described as a 'rolling terror attack.' The attack involved running over a pedestrian and then proceeding to stab a young woman, leading to a swift response from police and civilians. The occurrence comes amid heightened tensions following recent violence in the region.

Two people were killed in what police have described as a 'rolling terror attack' in northern Israel.

The attacker initiated the incident by running over a pedestrian in the eastern city of Beit Shean. Following this, he drove several miles before stabbing a woman near Ein Harod, about 12.5 kilometers away. The suspect was eventually intercepted and shot by a civilian outside Afula, according to police reports.

Among the deceased was 68-year-old Shimshon Mordechai, while a 16-year-old boy was injured during the initial ramming incident. The stabbing victim, identified as 18-year-old Aviv Maor, sustained injuries in the attack.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the suspect hailed from the village of Qabatiya in the northern West Bank and had illegally infiltrated Israeli territory days prior to the assault. Following the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced preparations for operations in the Qabatiya area, emphasizing the need for immediate and forceful action.

On the eve of this incident, an Israeli reservist faced termination after a video surfaced showing him ramming a Palestinian man who was praying, further escalating community tensions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his condolences to the victims' families and commended the civilian who neutralized the attacker. As violence continues to rise, reports indicate that over a thousand people have died in similar conflicts since the start of recent hostilities on October 7, 2023, which included widespread violence leading to numerous fatalities in both Israeli and Palestinian communities.