Israel
Three shot and injured in terror attack outside Tel Aviv coffee shop
One person was critically injured, and two others were also rushed to hospital with serious injuries
March 9, 2023 19:22
One person was critically injured, and two others were also rushed to hospital with serious injuries
March 9, 2023 19:22Three people were shot and wounded in a terror attack in a terror attack outside a coffee shop in central Tel Aviv last night.
Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom (MDA) said that they received several calls at 8.40pm local time (6.40pm UK time) with reports of a shooting attack on the corner of Dizengoff Street and Ben Gurion Street - one of the busiest areas of the city.
In a statement, MDA said: "EMTs and Paramedics treated and conveyed 3 victims to Ichilov Hospital, including a 32 year old male in critical condition and undergoing CPR. The hospital teams continued his treatment until his pulse returned and his condition was stabilized in the operating room.
"A 34 year old [was] in serious condition with a bullet wound to the shoulder, and a 36 year old male [was] in moderate condition with a facial injury."
One shooter was pursued from the scene and was shot dead, authorities confirmed.
Police responding to the incident in central Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/afXnwSJWSI
— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) March 9, 2023
In a statement from Rome, where he is on an official visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "A very serious attack in Tel Aviv, a terrorist attack. Sending recovery wishes to the injured. We are strengthening the police and security forces.
"This will not weaken our determination to plant roots in our homeland," he added.
In CCTV footage released following the attack, a man wearing a black jacket was seen walking behind a group of three men before pulling out a pistol and shooting at the seated patrons. He is seen fleeing as people took cover.
An eyewitness told the Ynet news site: “I saw a terrorist and I hid. I saw policemen running toward the corner of the building. A shootout started between them. He came [out from behind the building] and they neutralised him.”
Authorities have named the alleged shooter as 23-year-old Mutaz Salah al-Khawaja, a Palestinian from the West Bank town of Ni’lin, who had reportedly been twice jailed in Israel.
The terror group Hamas said that al-Khawaja was a member of its armed wing, and he did not have a permit to enter Israel.
The terror attack is the latest incident as tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Palestinians, with the IDF conducting regular nightly raids in the West Bank.