Palestinian Terrorist Attack Near Jerusalem Kills One

Latest Developments

Three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a crowded highway near Maale Adumim in the West Bank on February 22, killing an Israeli man. At least 11 others were wounded in the terrorist attack, including a pregnant woman who is in critical condition. A reservist in the Israeli military who returned from Gaza this month shot one of the terrorists dead at the scene. Israeli forces neutralized the other two assailants. “Based on the amount of weapons seized from the terrorists, this could have ended in a much larger number of casualties,” a senior Israeli security official said.

Expert Analysis

“As Ramadan nears, Hamas will exploit terrorist attacks. This strategy serves to incite Palestinians in the West Bank and the Muslim world abroad during a time when Hamas’s rule in the Gaza Strip is under threat. The Israeli security establishment should be aware of this strategy and potential attempts for more attacks, as terrorism often begets terrorism.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israelis shouldn’t have to worry about being killed by terrorists during their morning commute. The deadly attack near Maale Adumim reinforces Israeli fears and is a reminder that for Israelis, every day could be a small October 7.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

West Bank Terrorism

As war continues in Gaza, Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank have continued conducting attacks against civilians and Israeli security forces. On January 7, Palestinian terrorists killed an Israeli policewoman supporting a security operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. The attack, claimed by the Jenin Brigades of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, also wounded three Israeli police officers.

On January 15, two Palestinian men carried out multiple car-ramming attacks in Israel, killing one woman and injuring at least 17 others. The terrorists entered Israel illegally, stole cars in Ra’anana, and mowed down pedestrians, including children. The two men, who were both arrested, are members of the same family from the West Bank city of Hebron — a Hamas stronghold. Without immediately taking credit for the attack, Hamas welcomed it as a sign that the multi-front war on Israel launched from Gaza is expanding.

Related Analysis

“West Bank Imminent Terrorist Attack Thwarted by Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Car-Rammers Strike in Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Terrorists Kill Israeli Policewoman in West Bank City,” FDD Flash Brief