Eighty-year-old man killed in double murder by terrorist in central Israel

Shimon Daniv, in serious condition, and a 26-year-old man, Ya'akov Levertov, in moderate condition were treated on the scene and then evacuated to Wolfson Medical Centre, according to Magen David Adom spokesperson Zaki Heller.

The terrorist was identified as Amar Razak Kamel Odeh, 35, from the Arab city of Salfit in the West Bank. He did not have an Israeli residence permit. He was pronounced dead at Shamir Medical Centre (formerly Assaf Harofeh Medical Center) in Be'er Ya'akov.

The stabbings occurred at a gas station on Moshe Dayan Street and at a nearby street, Channel 12 reported. According to MDA, the attacks occurred at three separate locations, around 500m apart.

"The terrorist went on a killing spree. The police are working to rule out the presence of another terrorist and accomplices," Israel Police spokesman Eli Levy told Channel 12. "We are in the first minutes after the attack. It is important for me to emphasise that we have not ruled out the possibility that there are additional terrorists in the area, we are conducting many scans."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene, saying that "our war is not only against Iran, but also here in the streets." He praised the quick police reaction to the attack, and called on Israeli citizens to arm themselves. "It saves lives," he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that the nation was mourning the victims and praying for the wounded.

"Our enemies attack us again and again with hatred-filled terror," said Herzog, adding that the "only sin" of the victims "was that they wanted to live as a free people in their own country.

"I strengthen the hands of the IDF and the security forces in their fight to eradicate terrorism. We will continue to stand against terrorism — from near and far, we will not give in, we will not slacken for a moment in our determination, and we will continue to believe in the righteousness of the way and act in the light," he said.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tweeted: "We must remember again and again, as on this difficult morning, that our war is against human monsters who are capable of murdering old men and women who were just walking down the street, a war of absolute evil and cruelty against absolute good. And the good must win and destroy the bad, without stopping for one minute. And so it will be. Condolences to the victims' families and a full recovery to the wounded."

National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz tweeted: "A difficult morning. I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the families of [those] murdered in the attack in Holon, to pray for the recovery of all the wounded and to strengthen the members of the security forces and our soldiers who operate at all borders and beyond them — to prevent terrorism and to strike at its perpetrators and their agents."

Levertov described the incident to Ynet, saying that he saw the terrorist when he was walking his dog and was stabbed in the shoulder and stomach.

"He came out of an open area in my direction while walking, he just walked with an angry face. He looked at me. We got closer, because we were walking in opposite directions, and suddenly he ran in my direction and grabbed me. I felt that he hit my shoulder. I managed to escape from him together with my dog and arrived at the central station of Egged [the bus company], in the parking lot. I put my hand back. The drivers helped me. I sat down on the bench and they continued the treatment."

He continued, "I was on the phone with the police, already when I started running away I called the police. After I sat down, the drivers took the phone and I spoke to the police and the MDA, to direct the forces in my direction. In the process I understand that I am not the only victim because there were large forces that reached the intersection.

"At first I thought it was something personal, he was completely silent and didn't speak. He just came and grabbed me. I didn't hear any yelling afterwards either. He was alone and I was alone with my dog, that's it. After he hit me I ran away and never saw him again. Only in retrospect, I realised it was a terrorist attack."