2022 Bnei Brak shootings
{{Short description|2022 terrorist attack in Israel}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2022 Bnei Brak attack
| location = Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv District, Israel
| date = {{start date|2022|3|29|df=y}}
| coordinates = {{coord|32|05|38|N|34|50|09|E|region:IL|display=inline,title}}
| type = Mass shooting
| partof = the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
| image = Bnei brak shooting attack 04.png
| caption = The attack scene
| map = {{location map|Israel center ta|caption=|float=center}}
|map_caption=The attack site
| fatalities = 5 (+1 assailant)
| perpetrator =
| assailant = Diaa Hamarsheh
}}
On 29 March 2022, a series of shootings{{Cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Sobelman |first2=Gabby |date=2022-03-29 |title=Palestinian Gunman Kills 4 in Israel's Fifth Attack in Recent Days |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/middleeast/israel-shooting-deaths.html |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403041353/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/middleeast/israel-shooting-deaths.html |url-status=live }} took place in Bnei Brak, Israel.{{Cite web |title=PM vows Israel will defeat 'terrorist wave' after attack leaves 5 dead in central Israel |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/03/29/shooting-leaves-at-least-5-injured-in-central-israel/ |date=29 March 2022 |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=Israel Hayom |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406031758/https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/03/29/shooting-leaves-at-least-5-injured-in-central-israel/ |url-status=live }} Diaa Hamarsheh, a 26-year-old Palestinian from Ya'bad, killed five people.
Events
The attacker infiltrated into Israel by using an agricultural crossing of the Israeli barrier meant for Palestinian farmers to access fields on the other side of the border fence.{{Cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=2022-04-01 |title=IDF chief visits section of security barrier where Bnei Brak terrorist crossed into Israel |language=en |work=Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/2737706/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401111004/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/2737706/ |url-status=live }} The attack started at around 8:00 PM local time when Hamarsheh began firing at apartment balconies. The gunman then switched to targeting passersby on HaShnaim street, killing two pedestrians at a grocery store and a car driver.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=After string of deadly attacks, Bennett says Israel at start of 'challenging period' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-29-2022/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421120848/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-29-2022/ |url-status=live }} Hamarsheh tried to shoot another resident but the gun jammed.{{Cite news |last1=Amichay |first1=Rami |last2=Heller |first2=Jeffrey |date=2022-03-29 |title=Suspected Arab gunman kills at least 4 people in Tel Aviv suburb -Israeli TV |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/suspected-arab-gunman-kills-least-4-people-tel-aviv-suburb-israels-channel-12-2022-03-29/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402020913/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/suspected-arab-gunman-kills-least-4-people-tel-aviv-suburb-israels-channel-12-2022-03-29/ |archive-date=2 April 2022}}
He then left for Herzl street where he saw 29-year-old rabbi Avishai Yehezkel, who was taking his two-year-old baby in a baby stroller on a walk. Hamarsheh opened fire at Yehezkel, killing him.{{Cite news |last1=Elbaz-Alush |first1=Korin |last2=Rubinstein |first2=Roi |date=2022-03-30 |title='You were a Jewish hero': Rabbi killed in Bnei Brak attack laid to rest |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjcdo5zxq |access-date=2022-03-31 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331224445/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjcdo5zxq |url-status=live }} Hamarsheh engaged in a gun battle with two police officers who were called in to confront him, leading to the terrorist's death. An officer was brought to Rabin Medical Center where he died from his injuries.{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Hana Levi |title=5 Dead in Bnei Brak Terrorist Drive-By Shooting Attack |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/terrorism-news/multiple-wounded-in-bnei-brak-terrorist-shooting-attack/2022/03/29/ |work=The Jewish Press |date=29 March 2022 |access-date=29 March 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429213424/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/terrorism-news/multiple-wounded-in-bnei-brak-terrorist-shooting-attack/2022/03/29/ |url-status=live }}
The attack came shortly after a man killed four people in Beersheba and two Islamic State terrorists killed two police officers and targeted civilians in a shooting attack in Hadera.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Israël : au moins cinq morts dans des attaques près de Tel-Aviv, selon les secouristes |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/israel-au-moins-2-morts-dans-des-attaques-pres-de-tel-aviv-selon-les-secouristes-20220329 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=LEFIGARO |language=fr |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330131411/https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/israel-au-moins-2-morts-dans-des-attaques-pres-de-tel-aviv-selon-les-secouristes-20220329 |url-status=live }} The three attacks killed 11 people in total, making it the deadliest week of terrorism in the country since 2006, at the end of the Second Intifada. The Bnei Brak shootings are also the deadliest single terror attack in Israel since the 2014 Jerusalem synagogue attack.{{Cite web |title=Israeli security services struggle to stop deadliest terror wave since 2nd Intifada |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-security-services-struggle-to-stop-deadliest-terror-wave-since-2nd-intifada/ |first=Judah |last=Ari Gross |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330124720/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-security-services-struggle-to-stop-deadliest-terror-wave-since-2nd-intifada/ |url-status=live }}
Assailant
The assailant was identified by police as a Palestinian from Ya'bad,{{Cite web |title=Police confirm Bnei Brak shootings as a terror attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/police-confirm-bnei-brak-shootings-as-a-terror-attack/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=The Times of Israel |date=29 March 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423072721/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/police-confirm-bnei-brak-shootings-as-a-terror-attack/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |title=Palestinian terror groups hail Bnei Brak attack, avoid taking responsibility |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/palestinian-terror-groups-hail-bnei-brak-attack-avoid-taking-responsibility/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=The Times of Israel |date=2022-03-29 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422104748/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/palestinian-terror-groups-hail-bnei-brak-attack-avoid-taking-responsibility/ |url-status=live }} a 26-year-old named Diaa Hamarsheh.{{Cite web |title=Five killed by Palestinian gunman in latest deadly attack in Israel |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60902330 |date=2022-03-29 |access-date=2022-04-02 |work=BBC |language=en-UK |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402110347/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60902330 |url-status=live }} According to the Jerusalem Post, he was a Fatah affiliate who had been imprisoned in 2015 for charges of supporting terrorism as well as arms trafficking.{{Cite web |last=Breuer |first=Eliav |date=2022-03-29 |title=Five killed in Bnei Brak shooting |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-702649 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506091426/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-702649 |url-status=live }} The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite web |last1=Gold |first1=Hadas |author-link=Hadas Gold |last2=Salman |first2=Abeer |last3=Dahman |first3=Ibrahim |date=2022-03-30 |title=Five people shot dead near Tel Aviv, the third attack in Israel in a week |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/29/middleeast/shooting-near-tel-aviv-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-04-02 |work=CNN |language=en-US |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402110354/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/29/middleeast/shooting-near-tel-aviv-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}
In 2011, Hamarsheh had made plans to commit a suicide bombing and established contact with officials from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad for assistance. The plan fell apart after a defected PIJ operative called the police on Hamarsheh.{{Cite web |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |title=Bnei Brak terrorist served prison time after planning to carry out suicide bombing |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bnei-brak-terrorist-served-prison-time-after-planning-to-carry-out-suicide-bombing/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=The Times of Israel |date=2022-03-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422205319/https://www.timesofisrael.com/bnei-brak-terrorist-served-prison-time-after-planning-to-carry-out-suicide-bombing/ |url-status=live }}
Hamarsheh's family, which traditionally has worked in the tobacco industry, was described by courts as "law-abiding" and family members expressed their shock at the attack. Hamarsheh's father said that he had last seen his son during lunchtime, a few hours before the shootings.
Aftermath
As the results of the attack became known on Israeli TV, multiple videos showing celebrations at Jenin near the terrorist's home village of Ya'abad were posted on social media. These were later documented and distributed in the Israeli media.(Hebrew, with Videos in Arabic) [https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/472659/ "The Shahid Hero": The Attack in Bnei Brak was celebrated in Jenin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408002841/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/472659/|date=8 April 2022}}, Assaf Gibbor, Makor Rishon, March 30, 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett released a statement condemning the attack and announced increased security measures over the following days.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine both congratulated the attack.
Neil Wigan and Dimiter Tzantchev, the British and European Union ambassadors to Israel respectively, were the first foreign representatives to condemn the killings.{{Cite web |title=EU, UK envoys condemn Bnei Brak terror attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eu-uk-envoys-condemn-bnei-brak-terror-attack/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401161119/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eu-uk-envoys-condemn-bnei-brak-terror-attack/ |url-status=live }}
President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas said that "the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads the situation to deteriorate" in an official statement.{{Cite web |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |title=Breaking silence, PA leader Mahmoud Abbas condemns Bnei Brak terror attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/breaking-silence-pa-leader-mahmoud-abbas-condemns-bnei-brak-terror-attack/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402124931/https://www.timesofisrael.com/breaking-silence-pa-leader-mahmoud-abbas-condemns-bnei-brak-terror-attack |url-status=live }} French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack and said his thoughts were "with the victims and their loved ones".{{Cite web |title=Macron says France stands with Israel against 'scourge' of terror |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/macron-says-france-stands-with-israel-against-scourge-of-terror/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401112817/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/macron-says-france-stands-with-israel-against-scourge-of-terror/ |url-status=live }} Abdullah II of Jordan issued a condemnation the following day.{{Cite web |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |title=Hosting Herzog, Jordan's king condemns Bnei Brak attack: 'Every life matters' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hosting-herzog-jordans-king-condemns-bnei-brak-attack-every-life-matters/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=The Times of Israel |date=30 March 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330124705/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hosting-herzog-jordans-king-condemns-bnei-brak-attack-every-life-matters/ |url-status=live }}
The Ukrainian embassy in Israel confirmed reports that the two pedestrians killed at the grocery store were Ukrainian nationals, and urged for "the upscale of violence and terrorism ... [to] be stopped."{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=2 Ukrainian nationals among Bnei Brak dead; embassy decries 'heinous' attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-ukrainians-among-bnei-brak-dead-funeral-held-for-man-who-died-shielding-his-son/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402002037/https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-ukrainians-among-bnei-brak-dead-funeral-held-for-man-who-died-shielding-his-son/ |url-status=live }} The Jerusalem Post wrote that the attack acquired "a boost of international solidarity" for Israel,{{Cite web |last1=Lazaroff |first1=Tovah |last2=Nahmias |first2=Omri |date=30 March 2022 |title=From the US to Turkey, world stands united with Israel against terror |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-702698 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403002547/https://www.jpost.com//breaking-news/article-702698 |url-status=live }} with denouncements of the attack coming from the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv,{{Cite web |last1=Lazaroff |first1=Tovah |last2=Nahmias |first2=Omri |date=2022-03-30 |title=Turkey condemns deadly Bnei Brak terror attack |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-702698 |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403002547/https://www.jpost.com//breaking-news/article-702698 |url-status=live }} the Indian ministries of Defence and External Affairs,{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=India condemns terror attacks in Israel, expresses condolences |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/india-condemns-terror-attacks-in-israel-expresses-condolences-101648629476546.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421001803/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/india-condemns-terror-attacks-in-israel-expresses-condolences-101648629476546.html |url-status=live }} United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres,{{Cite web |title=Israel Mourns 5 Killed by Palestinian; Bennett Warns of Terror 'Wave' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/israel-mourns-5-killed-by-palestinian-bennett-warns-of-terror-wave-/6508976.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=VOA |language=en |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423022450/https://www.voanews.com/a/israel-mourns-5-killed-by-palestinian-bennett-warns-of-terror-wave-/6508976.html |url-status=live }} Japan,{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Japan condemns Palestinian 'terrorist' attacks in Israel |url=https://arab.news/p2uz5 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Arab News |language=en}} and Egypt.{{Cite news |last=Osmo |first=Liad |date=2022-03-30 |title=Egypt condemns Bnei Brak terror attack |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjz6yt11q5 |access-date=2022-04-20 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004133130/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjz6yt11q5 |url-status=live }}
In Beirut, Lebanon, supporters of Hezbollah celebrated on the streets and candies were handed out in celebration of the attack in Bnei Brak.{{Cite news |date=30 March 2022 |title=Hezbollah supporters celebrate Bnei Brak terror attack |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-supporters-celebrate-bnei-brak-terror-attack/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402051342/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-supporters-celebrate-bnei-brak-terror-attack/ |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Cite web |last=Blinken |first=Anthony J |author-link=Antony J. Blinken |date=2022-03-29 |title=Terrorist Attack in Bnei Brak |url=https://www.state.gov/terrorist-attack-in-bnei-brak/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=U.S. Department of State}}
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Category:Mass shootings in Israel
Category:2022 murders in Israel
Category:March 2022 crimes in Asia
Category:21st-century mass murder in Israel
Category:Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades attacks
Category:Terrorist incidents in Tel Aviv