2 Palestinians hurt in clashes with police in Jerusalem as Israel remains on edge

Police: 4 injured, including 1 seriously, in shooting in at Rahat coffee shop

Police say people are injured, including one person who is in a serious condition after a shooting at a coffee shop in the southern Bedouin town of Rahat.

The motive is apparently criminal.

Police say stones were thrown at officers who arrived at the scene and they were now attempting to restore order.

IDF force said operating near West Bank home of Tel Aviv terrorist

A large IDF force is operating near the home West Bank home of the terrorist who carried out the deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv yesterday, Palestinian media reports.

The force went into the villages east of Jenin. According to the reports, the family of the terrorist has two houses in the area, one in the Jenin refugee camp and another in the village of Deir Ghazaleh.

There is no immediate confirmation from the IDF.

Will Smith gets 10-year Oscars ban for slapping Chris Rock

LOS ANGELES — The motion picture academy bans Will Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

The move came after a meeting of the academy’s Board of Governors to discuss a response to Smith’s actions. It is unclear whether the ban would apply to future nominations.

“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” the academy says in a statement.

“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith says in response. He pre-emptively resigned from the academy last week during the run-up to the meeting, calling his actions “shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”

The academy also apologizes for its handling of the situation and allowing Smith to stay and accept his best actor award for “King Richard.”

Macron, in Hebrew post, says France ‘stands by Israel’ following terror shooting

French President Emmanuel Macron condemns the terror attack in Tel Aviv last night in a Hebrew-language Facebook post.

“Another murderous terror attack in Israel. Following the terrorist attack in the heart of Tel Aviv yesterday, France stands by the side of the citizens of Israel more than ever,” the post reads.

UAE ‘strongly condemns’ Tel Aviv terror attack

The embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Israel “strongly condemns” the deadly terror shooting in Tel Aviv last night in a tweet.

The #UAE Embassy in #TelAviv strongly condems the terrorist attack which took place in #Dizingoff center and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims of this dreadful act- may their memory be blessed- and we wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.

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— UAE Embassy in Israel (@UAEinIsrael) April 8, 2022

It issues an identical message in Hebrew and Arabic as well.

Two Palestinians hurt during clashes with police at Damascus Gate, Red Crescent says

The Palestinian Red Cresent emergency service says two Palestinians have been hurt during clashes with Israeli police at the Damascus Gate entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City.

Footage from the area shows a man lying on the floor, and dozens of police officers apparently chasing suspects.

There is no immediate comment from police on the clashes.

There have been nightly clashes in the area during Ramadan celebrations in recent days.

مستعربون يعتقلون شابًا من منطقة باب العامود بالقدس المحتلة pic.twitter.com/w4M9zMKc1C

— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) April 8, 2022

Left with fuzzy clues, cops used computer-generated composite to find terrorist

Channel 12 news reports on new details of the manhunt for Ra’ad Hazem, whom Israel says carried out the deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv Thursday night.

The station reports that security footage gave investigators only a fuzzy picture of Hazem, but they were able to use it and computer technology to build a clearer facial composite, which was then distributed to aid in the manhunt.

Photos of Hazem in a Shin Bet databank could have also been used, the network says, though reports have indicated that Hazem did not have a record with Israeli authorities.

According to Channel 12, the Shin Bet believes that Hazem planned to carry out another attack, citing the fact that there were 10 bullets left in the magazine of his gun when he was killed in a shootout outside a Jaffa mosque where he had been holed up.

It’s unclear whether the conclusion is based on the existence of the remaining bullets alone, as the fact that he hid out and did not carry out a second attack would appear to undercut the assessment.

Shaked met with Likud on defection, as support for coalition seen as shaky

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked is refusing to line up behind Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and met with Likud over leaving the coalition, according to reports.

According to the Kan public broadcaster, Shaked recently met with defecting Yamina MK Idit Silman, but did not try to convince her to remain in the coalition. Instead, Shaked appears to be attempting to keep her options open.

Channel 12 news reports that Shaked met with Likud members about joining them and leaving Yamina, and was offered any spot she wanted. But when she answered that she would make a decision together with fellow Yamina Knesset members Nir Orbach and Abir Kara, Likud initially refused.

Hours later, Likud gave in and said they could all get the keys to the candy store, but by then the three had decided to stick with the coalition.

Kan also reports that Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met over demands made by Yamina MK Nir Orbach that planning for new settlement homes be advanced and illegal outposts be connected to the electricity grid. Orbach has threatened to join Silman in bolting the coalition if the demands are not met.

According to the channel, Gantz told Bennett he could meet those demands, just not right now, which Orbach will likely see as another excuse and not accept.

Kan correspondent Akiva Novik surmises that Yamina started to fall apart while Bennett was off concentrating on diplomatic matters rather than domestic political ones, such as mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

Argentinian envoy to Israel quits after graft conviction

Argentina’s ambassador to Israel has resigned following a corruption conviction at home and President Alberto Fernández has accepted the resignation.

Sergio Uribarri was sentenced to eight years in prison for acts committed while he was governor of Entre Ríos province from 2007 to 2015, though he can remain free pending a series of possible appeals.

Uribarri, who apparently is still in Israel, says on Twitter that the verdict “is a clear example of arbitrariness, injustice and abuse of the state of law.”

The court found that Uribarri had used the equivalent of $8 million in provincial funds to position himself as a possible presidential candidate, partly by promoting a regional summit held in 2014.

Bennett wants US to lean on Abbas over PA payments to terrorist’s dad — report

Officials from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office are asking the US to pressure the Palestinian Authority and its leader Mahmoud Abbas to cut payments it makes to the father of terrorist Ra’ad Hazem, who carried out Thursday’s attack in Tel Aviv, Channel 12 news reports.

Fathi Hazem is a former security prisoner who previously served as a senior officer in the Palestinian Authority’s security services in Jenin, and thus receives a stipend from the PA. Earlier today, he hailed his son’s deadly shooting spree and encouraged further such acts.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz has brought up payments to relatives of terrorists in all of his meetings with Abbas, the channel reports.

Israelis are hoping the Biden administration will make clear to Abbas that his condemnation is not enough and needs to be followed by action, from cutting the payments to aiding a likely Israeli offensive in Jenin to crack down on terror emanating from there.

However, officials harbor no illusions that the pressure campaign will yield results, the channel says.

UK pledges more arms to Ukraine amid international revulsion over station attack

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged another 100 million pounds ($130 million) in high-grade military equipment to Ukraine, saying Britain wants to help Ukraine defend itself, as the death toll in a strike on a train station in eastern Ukraine rises to at least 50.

Speaking at a news conference with Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Johnson says the UK will give Ukraine’s military more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, another 800 anti-tank missiles, and precision munitions capable of lingering in the sky until directed to their target.

He also promised more helmets, night vision and body armor. The items were in addition to some 200,000 pieces of non-lethal military equipment from the UK that had already been promised.

Johnson says both the UK and Germany shared the “revulsion at the brutality being unleashed, including the unconscionable bombing of refugees fleeing their homes,’’ adding that the train station attack “shows the depths to which Putin’s vaunted army has sunk.’’

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian calls the attack a crime against humanity, and says the Hague-based International Criminal Court should open an investigation.

“They hit a station where there are refugees, civilians and so this can be seen as a crime against humanity,” he tells France 5 television.

“These crimes cannot remain unpunished. Experts must go there quickly and document urgently to provide proof of crimes against humanity,” he says.

In the US, President Joe Biden on Friday thanks Slovakia for giving Ukraine a Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft air defense system, adding the United States will reposition a Patriot missile system to replace it.

“The United States has placed the highest priority on delivering critical military capabilities to Ukraine so it can defend itself against Russian aggression,” he says.

Lessons from 2016 attack kept terrorist from being able to escape back home

Thursday night’s terror attack has drawn several comparisons to a similar attack at a bar just down the street in 2016, in which Arab Israeli man Nashat Milhelm opened fire on the Simta pub, and then escaped back to his home in Wadi Ara within hours. Two people were killed at the pub, and Milhelm also killed a taxi driver as he fled.

He was eventually found in his hometown of Arara after a week-long manhunt. In contrast, shooter Ra’ad Hazem was found just 10 hours after the shooting, hiding out in nearby Jaffa.

Channel 12 news reports that Hazem also planned on escaping home, in his case to the West Bank, but was stymied by a decision to set up checkpoints on roads leading out of Tel Aviv toward the West Bank or northern Israel. Instead, he was shot and killed in a shootout with forces outside a Jaffa mosque.

According to Kan, Hazem did not visit the mosque before the shooting, but went straight to Tel Aviv, where he walked around before eventually carrying out the attack.

Earlier reports had indicated he had been there before the attack.

More terror warnings as security challenges remain

Police and security officials say there remain several “hot” warnings of terror attacks being planned, Hebrew media news outlets report.

According to Channel 12 news, the warnings are not specific, but just reflective of a general threat of more attacks.

IDF army chief Aviv Kohavi told troops he believes the security challenges will remain for many days to come, Channel 13 reports.

Israeli anti-terror offensive in Jenin hinted at

Israeli forces may be ramping up for an operation in northern West Bank as soon as this weekend, Channel 13 news reports.

According to the channel, IDF chief Aviv Kohavi told soldiers that “if we are going to clash with the terrorists anyway, I prefer it be in Jenin.”

Report: Israel thinks PA losing control of Jenin area

Israel’s defense community suspects that the Palestinian Authority is losing control of the northern West Bank, the Kan broadcaster reports.

According to the report, the PA is being challenged for control of the area around Jenin by both the Islamic Jihad terror group and members of Fatah, the Palestinian faction ostensibly led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Both terrorists who carried out attacks in Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv last month and on Thursday came from the area.

Israeli officials want the PA to crack down on terror in the area, but fear it will not be able to, he reports, comments that may reflect official thinking on the direction an Israeli response may take.

IDF chief: Tel Aviv terrorist crossed into Israel through West Bank barrier

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi tells soldiers at the Ofer military base that the terrorist who carried out last night’s attack in Tel Aviv crossed into Israel through the West Bank “seam zone” — the area located east of the Green Line but west of the border of the security barrier.

There are many gaps in the barrier, and the IDF has dispatched thousands of troops in recent weeks to the seam zone area to make sure that Palestinians don’t illegally cross into Israel.

Kohavi tells the troops that the attacker should not have been able to cross into Israel and that it is the IDF’s responsibility to prevent such things.

Kohavi criticized for inviting media to cover address with soldiers at West Bank base

IDF chief of staff Aviv Kohavi is visiting the Ofer military base in the West Bank where he addresses soldiers about the escalating security situation before they eat Shabbat night dinner.

Kohavi’s office invited media to cover the event live in what was apparently meant to broadcast a message of security to Israelis watching at home, but the Kan public broadcaster points out that it comes hours after the IDF signed onto a joint letter to news networks blasting them for turning last night’s attack into a reality TV show.

Moreover, there are religious soldiers in the crowd who are being filmed on the Sabbath without their consent.

Report: Tel Aviv terrorist crossed into Israel through opening in West Bank barrier

The Israeli security establishment suspects that Tel Aviv terrorist Ra’ad Hazem was driven from the West Bank city of Jenin to the northern Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm through a gap in the security barrier, the Ynet news site reports, without citing any sources.

The suspect who drove Hazem is known to security forces, Ynet says.

From Umm al-Fahm, Hazem took a bus to Tel Aviv where he carried out the attack, according to the report.

Odessa imposes weekend curfew over ‘missile strike threat’

Ukraine’s southern city of Odessa has imposed a weekend-long curfew over a “missile strike threat” from Russia, after the shelling of a train station that killed dozens in the eastern city of Kramatorsk.

“A curfew will be introduced in Odessa and the Odessa region from 9 p.m. on April 9 to 6 p.m. April 11,” Odessa’s regional military administration says on Facebook. The decision was taken “given events in Kramatorsk” and “threat of a missile strike on Odessa,” it says.

First all-private crew successfully launches off to space, with Israel’s Eytan Stibbe on board

The first-ever all-private astronaut crew has successfully launched off to space, with Israel’s Eytan Stibbe among the four onboard on their way to the International Space Station.

Former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría is in command of the crew, which includes pilot Larry Connor and mission specialists Stibbe and Mark Pathy. The mission is managed by Axiom Space, a Houston-based firm contracted with SpaceX.

Stibbe is to carry out some 35 experiments for companies and research institutions on his privately funded Rakia Mission to the ISS.

He will be the second Israeli to ever make it to space.

The first-ever Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, was killed in 2003 when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. Members of the Ramon family were on hand when Stibbe’s flight was first announced in 2020, and were also present at the take-off in Orlando on Friday.

LIVE: Axiom Mission 1 is lifting off from @NASAKennedy for eight days of science, outreach, and commercial activities on the @Space_Station!

Launch is scheduled for 11:17am ET (15:17 UTC)—join us, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX for live #Ax1 coverage. https://t.co/xU6PuWRCqI

— NASA (@NASA) April 8, 2022

Bahrain condemns Tel Aviv terror attack

Bahrain’s foreign ministry issues a statement “strongly condemning” last night’s terror attack in Tel Aviv

The ministry expresses condolences to the victims’ families and to the Israeli government, “wishing a speedy recovery to the injured and stressing the firm position of the Kingdom of Bahrain rejecting all forms of terrorism and violence, no matter the motives or justifications given.”

WATCH: Second-ever Israeli to blast off to space at 11:17 a.m. EDT

Falcon 9 and Dragon are scheduled to lift off at 11:17 a.m. EDT, the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

On board is Eytan Stibbe, who aims to be the second-ever Israeli to go to space.

LIVE: Axiom Mission 1 is lifting off from @NASAKennedy for eight days of science, outreach, and commercial activities on the @Space_Station!

Launch is scheduled for 11:17am ET (15:17 UTC)—join us, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX for live #Ax1 coverage. https://t.co/xU6PuWRCqI

— NASA (@NASA) April 8, 2022

Security forces reportedly looking into possibility others knew about Tel Aviv terrorist’s plans

Channel 12 says that security forces are looking into the possibility that other people knew about the intention of Jenin resident Ra’ad Hazem to carry out a terror attack in Tel Aviv last night and did not act to stop him.

At the moment though, the belief of the security establishment is that Hazem acted alone using a pistol from his home.

There were ten more bullets in his gun when he was taken out in the middle of the night in Jaffa, and the Shin Bet believes he was going to carry out another attack imminently, the network says, without citing any sources for their reporting.

Bennett offers condolences to family of third fatality in Tel Aviv terror attack

“The entire nation of Israel shares in the heavy grief of the family of Barak Lufan, the third person murdered in the brutal Dizengoff [terror attack]. A father of three from Givat Shmuel. The heart is torn. May his memory be a blessing,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweets.

Kohavi orders IDF expand operations along West Bank security barrier after Tel Aviv attack

Military chief Aviv Kohavi instructs the Israel Defense Forces to increase operations along the West Bank security barrier, among other procedures following last night’s deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv.

Kohavi held a situational assessment with top IDF brass and other security officials this morning, the military says.

A statement from the IDF says Kohavi instructed the following: expanding and increasing offensive operations in the West Bank; focusing on activities in northern West Bank towns from which recent terrorists came from; continuing to bolster Israel Police; increasing defensive operations in the seam zone area; and examining the call-up of reservist troops, if necessary.

The terrorist who killed three in Tel Aviv last night was from the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank and had entered Israel illegally, though it remained unclear how exactly he entered.

Security agencies blast news networks for turning ‘pursuit of terrorist into reality show’

In a joint statement, the Israel Police, Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet security agency issue a harsh letter to media outlets following coverage of last night’s terror attack in Tel Aviv.

“Some media outlets turned the pursuit of the terrorist into a reality show, without censorship or self-criticism,” the statement reads.

Following the deadly attack, reporters from some television outlets tagged along with police officers and soldiers during a manhunt on the streets of the city.

“The media broadcast what was happening live, the footage of the pursuit of the despicable terrorist was broadcast without any filters, to every home in Israel, and unfortunately also to the enemy,” the statement says.

It accuses the TV outlets of exposing the faces of soldiers in special units, their methods of operation, weapons and equipment.

The statement also says officials see a “worrying” rise in the sharing of “unfounded information, some of which is entirely false.”

It adds that the various security bodies will also work to improve their conduct at scenes of security incidents. “This is our duty,” the statement says.

Likud activist posts photo of Lapid with description police used of Tel Aviv terrorist

Far-right Likud activist Igal Malka posts a photo of Yair Lapid wearing his trademark black t-shirt with the caption “Police have published a description of the terrorist [in last night’s Tel attack]: [He is wearing] a black t-shirt with black shorts.”

Lapid posts a picture of the tweet, calling it “poison.”

“Only together can we win. Over terror and also over the hatred that is spread here,” he adds.

באחת בלילה דיברתי ארוכות עם דנה, היועצת שלי. עשר שנים אנחנו עובדים יחד. גם חברים. אחד מהנרצחים הוא תומר, אח של הגיס שלה. בחור מקסים בן 27.

בבוקר קמתי לתוצר הזה של מכונת הרעל. רק ביחד ננצח. את הטרור, גם את השנאה שמפיצים פה. pic.twitter.com/CcpxVRl5Z1

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid???? (@yairlapid) April 8, 2022

Barak Lufan, 35, critically wounded in Tel Aviv attack, succumbs to wounds, raising death count to 3

Barak Lufan, who was critically wounded in last night’s terror shooting in Tel Aviv has succumbed to his wounds at Ichilov Medical Center, the hospital announces.

The 35-year-old father of three grew was a resident of Givat Shmuel and grew up in Kibbutz Ginosar.

He was a coach on Israel’s Paralympic team and head coach of the Israeli national kayak team, according to his social media accounts.

Police respond to gunfight in Bedouin village

Israel Police says it is responding to reports of gunfire in the southern Bedouin village of Ar’arat an-Naqab.

Footage shot from outside the town catches immense amounts of gunfire heard in what appears to have been a clash between rival groups.

Police have pledged to crack down on the thousands of illegal weapons that have flowed into Arab towns throughout the country after years of neglecting the issue.

ערערה בנגב. לאור יום pic.twitter.com/7Pzxk3876q

— ilana curiel (@ilanacuriel) April 8, 2022

Liberman: We must ‘clean out’ Jenin, the PA can help

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman identifies the northern West Bank city of Jenin as the source of much of the recent violence endured by Israelis.

The terrorist in last night’s Tel Aviv attack was from Jenin and photos from the town showed dozens celebrating the shooting in the streets.

Liberman says he does not support locking down Palestinian cities in the West Bank or launching a Defensive Shield-like large-scale military operation in response to the latest attacks, but advocates instead for “cleaning out Jenin.”

He says the Palestinian Authority’s security services could also assist in the effort as they similarly see Jenin as a security “challenge.” Jenin is a stronghold of the Islamic Jihad terror group and the PA indeed has little control over the city.

Shin Bet barred Netanyahu from leaving Tel Aviv office as attacker remained at large

The Shin Bet security service barred Opposition chairman Benjamin Netanyahu from leaving the Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv for four hours last night as the terrorist remained at large, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

All Tel Aviv residents were told to remain in their homes as the manhunt ensued, but Netanyahu has his own security detail. Still, the Shin Bet didn’t want to take any chances and barred the former prime minister from leaving.

The security service declined a request to comment.

Justice minister lays into MK who justified PA martyr payments, apologized

Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar goes after Meretz MK Gaby Lasky who justified the Palestinian Authority’s so-called “martyr payments” before subsequently apologizing.

“MK Lasky’s remarks are severe, irresponsible and completely contrary to the government’s position,” Sa’ar tweets. “Compensation to terrorists and their families by the Palestinian Authority for their criminal acts encourages terrorism.”

Slovakia gives S-300 air defense system to Ukraine

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Prime Minister Eduard Heger says Slovakia has donated its Soviet-era S-300 air defense system to Ukraine.

The comments from Heger come as he visits the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with top EU officials ahead of a planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelenskyy mentioned S-300s by name when he spoke to US lawmakers by video last month, appealing for defense systems that would allow Ukraine to “close the skies” to Russian warplanes and missiles.

NATO members Bulgaria, Slovakia and Greece have the S-300s, which can fire missiles hundreds of kilometers (miles) and knock out cruise missiles as well as warplanes.

Slovakia previously said it was willing to give its S-300 to Ukraine on condition that it has a proper replacement.

Israeli media regulator: Coverage of Tel Aviv attack ‘harmful’ to security operations

The governmental body that supervises the media holds an emergency session at the request of Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel in light of “the unusual and harmful media coverage during last night’s attack.”

The Second Authority for Television and Radio says in a statement that it will make recommendations for media conduct.

The meeting is held in the wake of the Tel Aviv terror attack, which saw reporters tag along with soldiers during a manhunt on the streets of the city, as well as the broadcasting of operating room footage.

The coverage of the attack could “complicate, disrupt and even endanger the activities of the security forces,” the regulator says.

“It allegedly revealed sensitive information that could endanger the security of civilians and members of the security forces,” the organization says.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on media outlets to act responsibly, implicitly critical of aspects of the coverage from Israeli news networks last night.

“Do not sow unnecessary panic in the public, this isn’t a reality show, but our life,” he said.

Police criticize decision to send IDF troops into Tel Aviv after terror attack – report

An unnamed police official says they believe it was the wrong decision to send large numbers of Israel Defense Forces troops onto the streets of Tel Aviv to join the manhunt for the terrorist who carried out a deadly shooting attack.

“We did not expect such a large number of soldiers in this incident, nor did we ask for all these forces,” the source tells the Kan public broadcaster. “We could have done without the large forces that the military provided.”

The manhunt, which lasted for nearly nine hours, included at least 1,000 police and IDF reinforcements combing the area for the attacker. IDF special forces — including units from the IDF’s Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag units — were deployed to the city to help with the efforts.

Last night it was reported that police were furious with IDF troops for allowing media to tag along during searches for the terrorist who killed two and wounded several others when he opened fire at a bar on Dizengoff Street.

Police had repeatedly moved reporters and other civilians away from hotspots during the search, apparently for their safety and to allow security forces to operate more freely. Broadcasting security operations can also compromise them by giving information to bad actors.

EasyJet tweets, deletes photo of flight number arm tattoo; says sorry for Holocaust connotation

EasyJet tweets — then quickly deletes — an image of a man with his flight and seat number tattooed onto his right arm.

The tweet reads, “You never forget your first flight.”

The deleted image, screenshotted then tweeted out by Israeli flight enthusiast Jon Siva, has obvious Holocaust connotations.

All Jewish and some non-Jewish prisoners at the Auschwitz concentration camp complex were tattooed on their left arms with identification numbers. Some 960,000 Jews, 74,000 Poles, 21,000 Roma and tens of thousands of Soviet prisoners of war were murdered at Auschwitz.

EasyJet confirmed the post in an email to The Times of Israel.

“While this is a genuine picture of a customer’s tattoo celebrating their first flight with us, we understand the concerns raised and as a result decided to remove the post,” writes a representative of the British budget airline’s media team. “We are sorry for any offence unintentionally caused by the post.”

No easyJet. Please no. pic.twitter.com/TyNGJjvJOp

— Jon Siva ✈️ יונתן סיווה (@jonsiva_) April 7, 2022

Meretz MK sorry for saying ‘pay-to-slay’ payments necessary to stop exploitation of women, children

Meretz MK Gaby Lasky apologizes for saying that the payments made by the Palestinian Authority to the families of terrorists are necessary to prevent the exploitation of women and children.

“My statement was out of place and did not justify for a moment the crime of terrorism, and I apologize for it,” Lasky tweets.

“I unequivocally condemn yesterday’s horrific attack,” she says, referring to the terror shooting in Tel Aviv. Two were killed and several wounded when a gunman opened fire at a bar. “I send my condolences to the families.”

Her apology comes after she told the Kan public broadcaster that while “hard to hear,” there was a need for the payments.

“They need to be provided with a livelihood to prevent the exploitation of children and women, or for them themselves moving toward terrorism,” Lasky told the Kan public broadcaster when questioned about the payments.

“It’s hard to hear that, but it’s the truth,” she said.

The Palestinian Authority’s practice of paying allowances to those convicted of carrying out terror attacks and to the families of those killed while carrying out attacks — often referred to by some Israeli officials as a pay-to-slay policy — has been pilloried by critics as incentivizing terror.

Her comments immediately provoked a storm of outrage.

Communications Minster Yoaz Hendel condemned the comment. “A delusional statement — whoever goes out to murder Jews must know that his house will be demolished and his family will suffer,” he said.

The opposition Likud party seized on Lansky’s statement as “proof that [Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett’s weak government is incapable of defeating terrorism.”

IDF says it foiled overnight attempt to smuggle drugs into Israel from Egypt

Troops foil an attempt to smuggle drugs into Israel from Egypt overnight, the Israel Defense Forces says.

According to the Israeli military, soldiers monitoring surveillance cameras spotted the drug smuggling attempt and dispatched troops to the scene.

More than 120 kilograms (265 pounds) of an unnamed drug, estimated to be worth NIS 2.4 million ($745,000), were seized, the IDF says.

No one was arrested in the raid, according to the army.

Several dozen chant pro-Hamas slogans after Temple Mount prayers

As the majority of Palestinian worshippers leave the Old City, several dozen remain on the Temple Mount, chanting pro-Hamas slogans.

“Put sword next to sword, we’re Mohammad Deif’s men,” the Palestinians chant, referring to the shadowy Hamas military commander.

????????️ #فيديو | هتافات من #المسجد_الأقصى المبارك بعد صلاة الجمعة، لكتائب #القسام وقائدها محمد الضيف. pic.twitter.com/j4gKzqRQGV

— قناة الأقصى الفضائية (@SerajSat) April 8, 2022

Waqf official says significantly lower turnout at Friday Ramadan prayers in Jerusalem’s Old City

Around 80,000 worshippers prayed today at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a significantly lower number than usual, Waqf official Azzam al-Khatib says.

“During a normal Ramadan Friday, we would expect to see as many as 200,000,” Khatib says in a phone call.

Khatib says fewer worshippers arrived from the West Bank than expected, although he declines to comment further as to why.

Officials said to believe Tel Aviv terrorist set out for attack from Jaffa mosque

Security officials are said to believe the Palestinian terrorist who carried out the deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv set out from the mosque in Jaffa where he was later killed in a firefight.

According to the Haaretz daily, officials believe that Ra’ad Hazem, a 28-year-old resident of Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, had advanced knowledge of Tel Aviv and Jaffa from entering Israel illegally on a number of previous occasions.

The report says it’s believed that Hazem prayed at the mosque on Yefet Street before going on his deadly rampage in Tel Aviv.

Hazem killed two people and wounded several others when he opened fire on a Tel Aviv bar.

Hazem returned to the area of the mosque after the attack. After a massive manhunt, he was located hours later, hiding near the house of worship and was killed in an exchange of fire with officers from the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit and Shin Bet security service.

The Kan public broadcaster says that while it is believed that Hazem may have received assistance from a family member, it is not known if any members of the mosque were involved in the attack or had advanced knowledge.

Friday prayers end on Temple Mount amid heightened tensions, but without incident

Thousands of Palestinians stream through Damascus Gate after Friday prayers end without a hitch.

Nonetheless, the tension in the air is palpable following last night’s terror shooting in Tel Aviv.

Many police officers are deployed around Damascus Gate. Fences tightly direct the tide of worshippers out of the plaza as Border Police look on.

Many West Bank Palestinians crossed into Israel to pray at the Al-Aqsa holy site on Friday morning, in accordance with relaxed restrictions on movement for the Ramadan holy month.

“Some people were scared to come, because of what happened yesterday, and we were worried they’d close off the West Bank. But they’re here, praise God,” says Adam, who works at a shop in the Old City.

Tel Aviv terror victim Tomer Morad had new job, recently completed his degree

One of the victims of the Tel Aviv terror attack had just found a new job and was due to start it soon, friends tell the Ynet news site.

Tomer Morad had recently completed a degree in mechanical engineering.

He was killed in the attack at the Ilka Bar alongside childhood friend Eytam Magini.

“They arranged to meet some friends. They were childhood friends, always cared for each other. When they did not answer — we understood that something had happened. We understood that the worst had happened. The two friends who went out together were murdered,” friend Gal Benvenisti tells the site.

Mother of Tel Aviv victim’s fiancée: ‘Instead of a wedding there will be a funeral’

The mother of Ayala, the fiancée of one of the victims of the terror attack in Tel Aviv last night, says that the family had planned to celebrate the couple’s engagement with a party this evening.

“In this house, where we are now mourning, there was supposed to be a party this evening,” Lia Arad tells the Walla news site. “They met by chance in South America and almost a year later, made contact again and started dating.”

She explains how she and her daughter Ayala desperately tried to contact Eytam Magini when news broke of the shooting.

“We are all devastated. They had started making lists for the wedding and had set up times to see venues,” says Arad, whose daughter became engaged to 27-year-old Magini last month.

“Yesterday we got the news that there was a terror attack and Ayala knew he was in a pub. She called him and he did not answer. I also called and he did not answer,” Arad tells Ma’ariv.

“We knew that if he hadn’t called to tell her he was ok, something had happened. I went to Ichilov [hospital]. From their faces I understood. Instead of a wedding, there will be a funeral,” she says.

Lapid: ‘Young Israelis were murdered simply for being Israelis’

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid says young Israelis were murdered in Tel Aviv last night because of terror organizations’ “ideology of hate.”

“Last night, murderous terror struck in the heart of Tel Aviv. Young Israelis were murdered simply for being Israelis,” Lapid tweets.

“This terror is the result of ongoing incitement by terrorist organizations driven by an ideology of hate. We will fight terror without compromise,” he says.

Grandfather’s final message to newly engaged Tel Aviv victim Eytam Magini: ‘Give me a sign you’re ok’

Hagai, the grandfather of Eytam Magini who was killed in a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv last night, tells Channel 12 news that his grandson was recently engaged.

“Eytam is like no other. The center of things — everyone who saw him fell in love with him immediately. He was insanely talented — he served in the army in submarines. He studied computers and neuroscience. Only about a month ago, on Purim, he became engaged to his partner Ayala,” Hagai says.

He shows the outlet his phone with a recent WhatsApp conversation with Eytam in which he asked his grandfather if they could speak soon to discuss who he would want to invite to the wedding.

Hagai sent the final message to his grandson as the reports came in of the attack: “Give me a sign that you are ok.”

Magini was killed alongside his friend Tomer Morad.

Public security minister: No intention to disrupt Ramadan, but will act against those who take advantage

Public Security Minister Omer Barlev says security forces are working hard in the face of a wave of deadly terror attacks, swiftly catching the perpetrator of the Tel Aviv attack and thwarting others.

“During the night, the security forces acted with remarkable speed and professionalism when they located the terrorist, engaged and then eliminated him,” Barlev says in an address from the military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

“In recent weeks, the State of Israel has been under terrorist attack by bloodthirsty murderers,” the minister says.

“This is a sensitive period, in which the security forces are working in all sectors to stop this wave of terrorism.
Israeli police officers, the IDF and the Shin Bet are working resolutely and vigorously, thwarting many terrorist attacks aimed at reaching centers of our cities,” Barlev says.

“We will reach every home, every hiding place and act everywhere to eradicate terrorism. We will not allow any terrorist or anyone who helps him to live one moment in peace, and we will get our hands on them, dead or alive,” he says.

“We are in the period of Ramadan, which is a very sensitive period. We have no intention of disrupting the day-to-day life of those who seek to fulfill the religious obligations or continue to work as usual, but we will act vigorously against anyone who takes advantage of this to carry out terrorist attacks,” Barlev says.

5 lightly wounded in Tel Aviv attack released from hospital

Five people lightly hurt in the shooting attack in Tel Aviv last night were released from the Wolfson Medical Center this morning.

The hospital says they were treated for minor shrapnel injuries and anxiety.

Eight others remain hospitalized at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov hospital, some with serious injuries.

Gantz praises PA for condemning Tel Aviv attack, calls on it to help stem terror

Defense Minister Benny Gantz praises the Palestinian Authority for condemning last night’s shooting attack in Tel Aviv, and calls on the body to help stem the wave of terrorism.

“It’s good that the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack,” Gantz says in a live address from the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. “My request is that, alongside condemnations, activities against the perpetrators of terrorism should be expanded in all sectors.”

The father of the Palestinian terrorist who killed two people and wounded several others last night at one point served in the PA security forces.

Gantz says the IDF will work diligently to foil terrorist attacks and increase its operations. The defense minister says that the IDF has already carried out around 200 arrests “and if necessary we will arrest thousands.”

He adds: “We are not punishing the entire [Palestinian] public — but security comes first.”

Bennett: Anyone who assists terrorists will ‘pay a heavy price’

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praises security forces for finding and eliminating the terrorist that carried out last night’s shooting attack in Tel Aviv, but says forces remain on high alert.

“This is exactly what is expected from our fighters,” Bennett says in a live address from military headquarters in Tel Aviv. “If they wouldn’t have caught him and took him down now, this could have stretched out for several days.”

Despite that, he says, “we’re not lowering our alert level in Tel Aviv or across Israel.”

Bennett says there will be no restrictions on security forces who are fighting terror.

“We grant full freedom of action to the IDF, the Shin Bet and all security forces in order to eradicate terrorism. There are and will be, no restrictions in this war,” Bennett says.

Bennett sends condolences to the families of the two young men who were killed, and well wishes to those who were wounded. He vows that terrorists will face the consequences of their actions.

“We know that it was a 29-year-old terrorist, from Jenin, not affiliated to a [terror] group, but somebody helped him in organizing and obtaining the weapons,” Bennett says.

“Every murderer knows we will find them, everyone who helps a terrorist should know that they will pay a heavy price,” Bennett says. “We saw the celebrations in Jenin and Gaza, this is who we’re dealing with.”

Bennett says that such terrorists and their supporters “want to break our spirits, but they will not succeed, we will never break.”

He also calls on media outlets to act responsibly, implicitly critical of aspects of the coverage from Israeli news networks last night. “Do not sow unnecessary panic in the public, this isn’t a reality show, but our life.”

At least 20 killed in rocket attack on train station in eastern Ukraine

At least 20 people killed in a reported rocket attack on a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk being used for civilian evacuations, according to AFP journalists.

“Two rockets hit the Kramatorsk railway station. People have been hurt. We are clarifying the details,” Alexander Kamyshin, the head of Ukraine’s railway company writes on social media.

Herzog mourns 2 killed who ‘just wanted to spend a normal night out’

President Isaac Herzog offers condolences to the families of the two victims of last night’s terrorist shooting attack in Tel Aviv.

“Two young Israelis, two flowers, lost their lives in last night’s horrific attack in Tel Aviv,” says Herzog. “Their only sin was wanting to spend a normal night out.”

Herzog also thanks security forces for catching and killing the terrorist and sends prayers to those wounded in the attack who are still hospitalized.

PA’s Abbas condemns Tel Aviv terror attack: ‘We’re all striving for stability’

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemns the terror attack in Tel Aviv that left two Israelis dead on Thursday night.

“The killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads to a further deterioration of the situation, as we are all striving for stability, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Christian and Jewish holidays,” Abbas says in a statement.

This is the second condemnation of Palestinian violence that Abbas has issued in just over a week. While Ramallah works closely with Israel to crack down on Palestinian terror groups in the West Bank, Abbas rarely publicly denounces specific acts of violence.

The shooting spree on Dizengoff Street on Thursday came on the eve of the first Friday of Ramadan, as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are set to arrive in Jerusalem for Friday prayers.

Abbas also warns that extremist Israelis may seek to commit revenge attacks and stresses the danger of the continuation of the “repeated incursions” into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the “provocative actions of extremist settlers.”

“The cycle of violence confirms that a permanent, comprehensive and just peace is the shortest and most correct way to provide security and stability for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples,” Abbas says.

Tel Aviv terror victims named as 27-year-olds Tomer Morad, Eytam Magini

The two victims of last night’s terrorist shooting attack in Tel Aviv are named as Tomer Morad and Eytam Magini, two friends both aged 27 and originally from Kfar Saba.

The pair were both at the Ilka bar on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv last night when the terrorist opened fire.

“Our city is in deep mourning,” the mayor of Kfar Saba, Rafi Sa’ar, says, saying that the pair were childhood friends. “My heart is with the families of the victims.”

Several others who were wounded are hospitalized in serious condition.

Netanyahu: ‘Tough hand’ needed to counter wave of terror

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu says a “tough hand” is needed to deal with the wave of deadly terror attacks in Israel in recent weeks.

“I praise the security forces for finding and taking down the despicable terrorist from last night’s attack,” Netanyahu tweets. “We are undergoing a wave of terrorism with four attacks within a few days. A tough hand and a firm stance is needed to restore peace and security to the citizens of Israel.”

Police deploying heavily in Jerusalem’s Old City for Ramadan prayers

Police are deploying in great numbers around today’s Ramadan prayers on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City amid a high alert following last night’s deadly shooting in Tel Aviv. According to Haaretz, thousands of police officers are deployed around the site.

Despite the string of recent terror attacks, Israel has decided not to limit attendance at Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians have been granted special permission to enter Israel for the prayers and tens of thousands of east Jerusalemites are also expected to take part.

Violent clashes between Palestinians and security forces have broken out several nights this week at the flashpoint Damascus Gate in Jerusalem.

Communications minister slams Israeli media coverage of Tel Aviv attack

Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel criticizes the way local media operated during last night’s terrorist shooting in Tel Aviv.

“A mother should not watch her son searching homes for a terrorist… the people of Israel should not be listening to the radio messages between police and the IDF and certainly should not be watching live from an operating room — what happened yesterday crossed a line.”

As police hunted for the terrorist who killed two and wounded several others last night, Israeli media outlets were often close behind security forces, sharing immediate but often unverified information, despite repeated calls for them to back off.

Bennett meets security chiefs, orders northern West Bank crossing closed ‘until further notice’

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has instructed security forces to check whether any relatives of the terrorist who killed two people and wounded numerous others in Tel Aviv were involved in the shooting attack, his office says.

Bennett issued the order after meeting with top security chiefs this morning following the deadly attack last night.

The Prime Minister’s Office says Bennett also called for the Gilboa Crossing in the northern West Bank to remain closed “until further notice, with the goal” of restricting access to and from the terrorist’s hometown of Jenin.

Father of Tel Aviv terrorist: God, liberate Al-Aqsa ‘from the occupiers’

The father of the suspected terrorist who killed two people and wounded numerous others in Tel Aviv last night is praising his son’s actions.

“You will see the victory soon… God, liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the occupiers,” he is quoted as saying by Hebrew media outside the family’s home in Jenin.

Reports say the father was a former officer in the Palestinian security services.

אביו של המחבל הבוקר בג'נין: "הניצחון יגיע בקרוב, בימים הקרובין תראו את השינוי.
אתם תהיו חופשיים ועצמאיים. אלוהים, שחרר את מסגד אלאקצא מידי הכיבוש!" pic.twitter.com/yHlqUwHPJo

— שחר גליק (@glick_sh) April 8, 2022

Gantz: We’ll expand operations after Tel Aviv attack, exact ‘heavy price’ on terrorists

Defense Minister Benny Gantz vows Israel will exact a “heavy price” from terrorists after security forces killed the suspected assailant from last night’s deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv.

“We will expand our operations against the terror wave,” Gantz says.

Jenin residents march in honor of Tel Aviv terrorist: ‘Death and not humiliation’

Images from the northern West Bank show Jenin residents marching in honor of the Palestinian terrorist who killed two people and wounded numerous others in a shooting attack in Tel Aviv last night.

“Death and not humiliation,” the marchers chant, according to the Kan public broadcaster.

המחבל שביצע את הפיגוע בת"א וחוסל: רעד חאזם מג'נין, בן 28 – ללא שיוך ארגוני או עבר ביטחוני. תושבים בצעדה ליד ביתו בג'נין: "מוות ולא השפלה"@nurityohanan @carmeldangor https://t.co/oMSbRU46XI pic.twitter.com/hTcIj2Ftfq

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) April 8, 2022

Bennett: Security forces on ‘maximum alert’ for any further attacks after Tel Aviv

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett hails the Israeli forces who tracked down and killed the Palestinian terrorist who opened fire at a Tel Aviv bar last night, killing two people and wounding numerous others.

Bennett says security forces remain on “maximum alert” in Tel Aviv and throughout the country over concerns of “further incidents or copycat attacks.”

“The entire people of Israel feels the sorrow of the families of those murdered and prays for the health of the wounded,” he says in a statement.

“Our war on murderous terror is long and difficult,” the premier adds. “We will win.”

Shin Bet: Terrorist entered Israel illegally, had no previous criminal record

The Shin Bet security service says the terrorist who opened fire at a bar in Tel Aviv, killing two and wounding numerous others, did not have a permit to be in Israel and entered illegally.

The Shin Bet also says that Ra’ad Hazem, a 28-year-old from Jenin, had “no clear organizational affiliation, no security background and no previous arrests.”

“The investigation into the attack is continuing,” it adds.

Hospital: Man critically wounded in Tel Aviv terror attack still in ‘immediate danger’

Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital says it’s continuing to treat eight people wounded in the deadly terror attack on the city’s Dizengoff Street, including a man in critical condition still facing “an immediate danger to his life.”

According to the hospital, three others who were in critical condition last night “were no longer in danger” and are being treated in ICUs.

The other four are listed as being lightly to moderately wounded.

Police chief: After a long night we were determined to get terrorist, dead or alive

Police chief Kobi Shabtai says Israeli security forces were determined to get the Tel Aviv terrorist “dead or alive.”

“After a long, difficult night of activity by the police, Shin Bet and IDF, we succeeded this morning — with operational and intelligence cooperation — to close the circle and killed the terrorist in an exchange of fire,” says Shabtai.

“We emphasized last night that no matter how long it took we would find the terrorist, dead or alive,” Shabtai says. “And when we found him this morning it required a quick reaction from the Yamam and Shabak forces in Jaffa.”

“We operated along two main paths, operational and intelligence, and this morning both led to the end of this rolling operation.”

“We are continuing with our top-level alert for the Israel Police in all regions and sectors, including the safeguarding of the first Friday prayers of Ramadan.,” he says. “We will react with a large deployment and force to any unusual instances as we did in Tel Aviv and we will hunt anyone who harms or tries to harm the citizens of Israel.”

Terrorist named as Ra’ad Hazem, 28, from Jenin area

The terrorist who carried out the Tel Aviv attack and was later killed in a gunfight with Israeli forces is named as Ra’ad Hazem, 28, from the Jenin area in the West Bank.

#صورة منفذ #عملية_تل_ابيب وهو الشهيد رعد فتحي زيدان من #جنين pic.twitter.com/u95lfmT3bd

— Newpress | نيو برس (@NewpressPs) April 8, 2022

Hazem killed two people and wounded 13 others when he opened fire on a Tel Aviv bar. He was found and killed several hours later after a massive manhunt.

Bennett briefed on operation to capture terrorist, will hold security consultation

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was briefed throughout the night on efforts to find the Tel Aviv terrorist, his office says.

The statement comes after news that the gunman, who killed two and wounded more than a dozen people in a shooting attack on a Tel Aviv bar, was found and killed by security forces in nearby Jaffa.

Bennett will hold a further consultation with the heads of the security forces at 8:30 am. this morning, his office says.

Tel Aviv terrorist killed in shootout with police special forces

The terrorist who carried out the deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv is killed in a shootout with officers from the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit and the Shin Bet internal security service.

The man, who sparked a massive, hours-long manhunt after killing two and wounding more than 10 at a Tel Aviv bar, was found hiding near a closed mosque in Jaffa, the Shin Bet says.

The agency says he is a resident of the Jenin district of the northern West Bank.

There are no Israeli casualties in the firefight.

Initial reports say the shooter was killed in Jaffa. pic.twitter.com/onn4izwOy7

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) April 8, 2022

Report: Tel Aviv terrorist found and killed in Jaffa

The terrorist who carried out a deadly shooting attack in central Tel Aviv is found in nearby Jaffa and killed by security forces, reports Channel 13’s military correspondent.

According to Alon Ben David, the shooter is identified as a Palestinian from the northern West Bank.

The report comes after a night of massive searches in which soldiers went door-to-door, looking for the gunman who killed 2 and wounded 10 at a busy Tel Aviv bar.

There is no immediate confirmation from police.

With terrorist on loose, police urge public to be alert, avoid large gatherings

With the gunman in the Tel Aviv terror attack still on the loose, police are urging the public to remain alert and avoid large gatherings.

“The Israel police calls on the public to continue with their normal routines, but avoid large gatherings and remain very alert and report anything suspicious to police,” a statement says.

Police and other security forces launched a massive manhunt in the Tel Aviv area after a gunman killed two people and wounded 10 others at a busy bar, before disappearing.

Police say dead in Tel Aviv bar attack are civilians aged 27 and 28

Police say the two victims of the Tel Aviv terror attack are two civilians aged 27 and 28.

Their names are not yet released, pending notification of their families.

Ten people are hospitalized including four in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and four considered lightly hurt.

Doctors successfully stabilize condition of man critically wounded in shooting

Doctors at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov hospital say that after an operation they have managed to stabilize the condition of a man who was critically wounded in the shooting attack.

Doctors say his condition is still considered critical.

The condition of three other patients has also stabilized and they are in serious condition, the hospital says, adding that they have been sent to the intensive care unit after surgeries.

Massive manhunt continues five hours after deadly Tel Aviv terror attack

Here is how things stand five hours after a deadly terror shooting in central Tel Aviv:

— Two young people were killed in the attack, which began a little after 9 p.m., officials say, when the terrorist opened fire with a pistol at the Ilka bar on Dizengoff Street in the crowded heart of the city.

— The two fatalities were civilians reportedly in their 20s. Medical teams are “fighting for the lives” of four other people. Two additional people have moderate to severe injuries and nine are lightly injured.

— The shooter, who eyewitnesses said was wearing black, fled the scene and is still at large. Large numbers of police and soldiers, including from elite IDF units, are scouring Tel Aviv, searching buildings, inside apartments, in alleyways and dumpsters. Authorities believe one gunman, believed to be a Palestinian from the West Bank, carried out the attack.

— Police have moved to expand the search outside of Tel Aviv by directing incoming forces to the surrounding areas and setting up around 100 roadblocks in the region.

— Tel Aviv residents have been instructed to remain indoors and lock their doors. Many people are sheltering in buildings around the scene of the attack.

— Tel Aviv police chief Ami Eshed tells reporters that while signs pointed to the shooting being a terror attack, other avenues are being investigated as well. “From what we know, there are signs this was terror,” Eshed says at a late-night briefing.

— Prime Minister Bennett offers condolences to the families of the murdered and prayers for the wounded. “Wherever the terrorist is — we’ll get to him. And anyone who assisted him, directly or indirectly, will pay the price,” Bennett says.

— Bennet earlier held a security meeting with top officials in Tel Aviv including Defense Minister Gantz and IDF chief Kohavi.

— Celebrations are taking place in Palestinian cities in the West Bank and Gaza. Islamic Jihad and Hamas have praised the attack, but have not claimed responsibility.

— IDF troops shoot at least one person in the West Bank who threw stones at vehicles. Palestinian reports said earlier that troops were carrying out operations near the northern West Bank town of Tulkarm.

— The shooting comes amid a series of deadly attacks in Israel in recent weeks, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and during a government crisis. Idit Silman, a member of Bennett’s Yamina party, quit the coalition yesterday, stripping it of its parliamentary majority and making its collapse likely.

Troops fire on stone-throwers in West Bank, hit at least 1

The Israel Defense Forces says troops shot at several Palestinians who allegedly hurled stones at Israeli drivers on the Route 60 highway in the central West Bank.

The military says troops identified three suspects who were hurling stones near the town of Turmus Aya.

“A hit was identified,” the IDF says.

According to the Rescuers Without Borders emergency service, two of the suspects were hurt and were treated by military medics.

‘Senseless terrorism and violence’: Blinken condemns attack on Tel Aviv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns the terror attack that took place in Tel Aviv earlier this evening.

“Americans are, once again, grieving with the Israeli people in the wake of another deadly terrorist attack, which took the lives of two innocent victims and wounded many more in Tel Aviv,” he says.

“Our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Blinken says.

“We are closely following developments and will continue to be in regular contact with our Israeli partners, with whom we stand resolutely in the face of senseless terrorism and violence.”

“May the memories of those who passed be a blessing,” he adds.

Video reportedly shows gunman walking past bar ahead of shooting

Videos circulating online are believed to show the terrorist who killed two people in Tel Aviv walking past a bar ahead of the attack.

The individual in the video matches a picture released by police of the suspect in the shooting.

Video circulating online allegedly shows the gunman passing the bar in Tel Aviv before committing a shooting attack there. pic.twitter.com/CCSPZKtgYi

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 7, 2022

Bennett: ‘Wherever the terrorist is, we will get to him’

Prime Minister Bennett releases his first public statement since the deadly terror shooting in Tel Aviv.

“This is a very difficult night. My condolences to the families of the murdered and I’m praying for the complete recovery of the wounded,” Bennett says.

“Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorist who carried out the murderous rampage this evening in Tel Aviv.

“Wherever the terrorist is — we’ll get to him. And anyone who assisted him, directly or indirectly, will pay the price,” Bennett says.

Police release photo of shooting suspect

Police release a photo showing the suspect in a deadly Tel Aviv terror shooting.

The blurry photo shows a man wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt or jacket, dark pants and sneakers.

Police ask for the public’s health locating the individual.

Police say he was “seen next to the scene of the incident.”

Anyone with information is instructed to call the police hotline by dialing 100.