Hamas said in a statement that the attack was a “natural reaction” to Israel’s recent deadly military raids in the West Bank, but did not explicitly claim responsibility for the shooting. CCTV footage showed al-Khawaja at the time of the attack. According to the police, he was shot dead by four armed men, including two police officers who arrived on the scene, one of whom was not on duty. The other two included a civilian and an IDF (Israeli Army) reserve officer.
Recall that three people were shot and injured near a cafe on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. It is reported that one of the victims is in serious condition, the others were slightly injured. Video from the scene shows two assailants firing at civilians, with one ending up being shot and the other fleeing the scene.
The attack added to already high tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, as the IDF carried out raids in the West Bank almost every night amid a series of deadly Palestinian terror attacks. Those tensions have escalated in recent weeks amid a series of Israeli raids and Palestinian revenge attacks, as well as an upsurge in settler violence.
Later Thursday, multiple intruder alarms sounded elsewhere in the West Bank in the settlement of Beitar Illit after a suspected explosive device was found inside a bus. The Armed Forces Home Front Command has ordered residents to stay at home and lock their doors and windows until further notice.
Recall that earlier Thursday, protesters blocked major intersections and clashed with police in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. They are protesting against the plans of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to radically reform the judicial system.
