Hadera terror victims named as Border Police officers Yazan Falah, Shirel Aboukrat
Both were 19; police praise them for bravery, saying they saved many civilians, ‘giving up their lives for the security of the people of Israel’; funerals set for Monday afternoon
Police identified the two people killed in the Hadera terror attack as Border Police officers Yazan Falah and Shirel Aboukrat, both 19, saying that the two officers saved many lives in the attack.
“The two officers died in battle this evening with armed terrorists,” the Border Police said in a statement after midnight Sunday, adding that three other officers were injured.
Falah, a resident of the Druze village of Kisra-Sumei in the Galilee, joined the Border Police a year ago and is survived by his parents and a brother and sister, police said.
Aboukrat, a resident of Netanya whose family immigrated from France, joined the force six months ago and is survived by her parents and a brother. According to the Ynet news site, Aboukrat’s mother told friends that she had moved the family from France because she wanted them to live in safety. “We fled France to have security and here she died, in our country. It does not make sense. I wanted to give them a good life and security,” she reportedly told friends.
Falah was to be buried in his hometown at 4 p.m. Monday, while Aboukrat’s funeral was set for 5:30 p.m. in Netanya.
“The soldiers fought with bravery, we share the sorrow and hug the families of the heroes Yazan and Shirel of blessed memory who defended the citizens with their bodies and saved many lives,” the statement said, calling them “highly motivated young fighters who gave up their lives for the security of the people of Israel.”
The two terrorists who committed the attack were believed to be supporters of the Islamic State group. The shooting came days after a deadly terror attack in the southern city of Beersheba, which was also committed by a man who attempted to join the jihadist group, raising concerns of further attacks inspired by the terrorist organization. Meanwhile, officials had been warning of a flare-up of violence before and during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins later this week.
Security camera footage from the scene showed the two gunmen, bearded and wearing white overalls, opening fire at passersby and police officers at a bus stop in the city, close to several restaurants.
The video showed one of the gunmen shooting several times at a victim lying on the ground, before snatching that person’s rifle. He also opened fire on a man seen riding past the scene on a bicycle.
Police said several officers were hurt in the attack and during a gun battle with the terrorists shortly thereafter.
Both of the terrorists were shot dead by members of a unit of undercover officers who were eating at a nearby restaurant, police officials said.
