February 10, 2023 | Flash Brief

Palestinian Terror Attack Kills Two Israelis in Jerusalem

February 10, 2023 | Flash Brief

Palestinian Terror Attack Kills Two Israelis in Jerusalem

Latest Developments 

Earlier today a terrorist rammed a car into a bus stop in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem, murdering a 20-year-old man and a six-year-old boy. The attack left several others wounded, including an eight-year-old boy who remains in critical condition. The terrorist, killed by an off-duty policeman at the scene, was a resident of East Jerusalem. In response to the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israeli forces to seal and ultimately destroy the attacker’s home.

Expert Analysis

“Jewish and Arab lives are intertwined in Jerusalem. Because there are no physical barriers dividing Jewish and Arab residents, it is a particularly difficult security challenge for the Netanyahu government to grapple with. Until this point, Netanyahu has been clear that escalation with the Palestinians is not on the agenda. However, his calculus may shift if the terror attacks continue.”
Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and Senior Director of FDD’s National Security Network

“Today’s terror attack in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot is another link in a long chain of terrorism and violence gripping Israel and the West Bank. Israel is not on the precipice of a new wave of terror — the violence has been ongoing for more than a year. Incitement by terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others calling on Palestinians to murder Israelis and destabilize the West Bank is a longstanding and persistent problem with no end in sight.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

The Attacker

The terrorist, 31-year-old Hussein Karaka, lived in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya. Palestinian media reported that Israeli security forces entered Issawiya earlier today and arrested several people, including the attacker’s wife. Karaka’s social media account has posts in support of Palestinian terror organizations.

A Growing Crisis

Today’s attack is the third in under a month carried out by East Jerusalem residents. In January, a gunman killed seven people outside a synagogue in the capital’s Neve Yaakov neighborhood following Shabbat evening prayers; police shot him dead during a brief pursuit. The Neve Yaakov terror attack was the deadliest Palestinian terrorist attack against Israel since 2008. Shortly afterward, a 13-year-old Palestinian shot and wounded two Israeli passersby in the Silwan/City of David district. Israeli return fire injured the boy, whom security forces then took into custody.

Related Analysis

Shin Bet: Hamas Attempting to Recruit Palestinians in the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman

Israel Raids Hamas Cell Responsible for Restaurant Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

Abbas Blames Israel for Rise in Terrorism,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Israel Palestinian Politics