Palestinian Terrorist Carries Out Combined Car Ramming, Stabbing Attack in Central Israel

Latest Developments

• Car Ramming Near Pardes Hanna: At least 13 people were injured on February 27 when a Palestinian terrorist drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians near Pardes Hanna-Karkur, north of Tel Aviv, according to Israeli police. Israeli media reported that the terrorist exited his vehicle after the initial attack and began stabbing first responders with a screwdriver before he was shot and killed by police officers. Injured civilians at the scene were transported to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in nearby Hadera, with one 17-year-old girl in critical condition and a 60-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman in serious condition.
• Illegal Palestinian Resident Behind Attack: The terrorist who carried out the attack was confirmed by Israeli police to be a 53-year-old Palestinian man from Jenin, later identified as Jamil Zayoud, who had been living illegally in Israel for over a decade with his wife, an Israeli citizen. Israeli police said they were “still conducting scans to see if he acted alone.”
• Hamas Praises Attack: The Iran-backed Hamas terrorist organization praised the attack in a statement published on Telegram, calling it a “natural heroic response to the brutal aggression and ongoing crimes committed by the occupation in the West Bank.” The terror group added that the attack, which occurred one week after three explosive devices exploded prematurely on Tel Aviv area buses, “confirms that the resistance strikes continue despite strict security measures.”

FDD Expert Response

“Although Jamil Zayoud appeared to have no direct ties to armed groups, the attack he carried out aligns with actions that organizations like Hamas often encourage Palestinians to undertake. Furthermore, acts of terrorism can provoke further violence. Thus, Israeli security forces are likely on alert, anticipating potential copycat attacks by individuals inspired by this horrific act.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Today’s terrorist attack illustrates the challenge Israel faces in dealing with lone wolf-type terrorism. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas atrocities, Israel has faced a major increase in attacks within the country, sometimes carried out by terrorist groups but also by individuals who become suddenly radicalized. This attacker was a man in his fifties and was living in Israel illegally; while he doesn’t fit the usual terrorist profile, it is clear that Israel must be on the alert for these types of terrorist assaults by individuals who would not naturally be considered suspects .” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“Bombs Explode Prematurely on Tel Aviv Area Buses in Attempted Terror Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

“West Bank terrorism persists, IDF launches operation in Jenin,” by Joe Truzman

“More Than 1,000 Terror Attacks in West Bank and Jerusalem Thwarted in 2024,” FDD Flash Brief