In the aftermath of a terror attack in Ra’anana, Israel, one of the suspects, who was a Palestinian, confessed during an interrogation by the Shin Bet, which is Israel’s security agency, that the act was a retaliation for the war in Gaza. The suspect, together with a relative, had planned to carry out the attack with the intention of becoming martyrs.
Attack Strategy
The pair had traveled from Hebron to Ra’anana three days prior to the attack. Originally, they had intended to stab Jewish individuals. However, a change in plan led them to opt for running over as many Jewish people as possible, according to a quotation from the interrogation as reported by Channel 12.
Consequences
In the wake of the attack, Israeli soldiers launched a raid on Hebron. The Palestinian health ministry reported one fatality and ten injuries during the raid.
The Wider Context
The attack in Ra’anana serves as a somber reminder of the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was a response to the actions of the occupying forces. This incident followed a shooting attack on a bus stop in Jerusalem in December, which resulted in the deaths of three Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes in Gaza, eliminating terrorists and seizing a significant amount of Hamas weaponry.
