A gun attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday left three people injured as the city faced ongoing anti-government protests. Early Friday, Israeli police briefly corrected an earlier statement to say that none of the wounded had died, clarifying that the report was a mistake. In a police statement, officials described the incident as the act of a 23-year-old Palestinian assailant who opened fire on three civilians near a cafeteria. The civilians were treated at a hospital for injuries described as varying in severity. A police spokesperson confirmed to journalists that the previous claim of a death was corrected. This reflects the intense and rapidly evolving nature of the day’s events in Tel Aviv.
The gunman, who was reported to have acted on foot, fired in front of a cafe, injuring three civilians. Two officers and two nearby civilians confronted him, and the assailant was killed in the ensuing exchange. Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai stated that swift police action likely prevented additional casualties. (Attribution: Police press briefing, corroborated by multiple outlets)
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. They identified the shooter as Muataz Billah al Jawaja, described as a 23-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank who had recently been released from Ni’lin, near Ramallah. The group labeled the attack as a response to what it called ongoing Israeli actions against Palestinian towns, cities, and holy sites. Israel, the United States, and the European Union designate Qassam as a terrorist organization. (Attribution: Al-Qassam Brigades statement; verification by security analysts)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting Italy, addressed the incident in a public statement. He described the attack as another act of terrorism in central Tel Aviv and emphasized the government’s resolve to advance the nation’s growth and roots. Netanyahu has led a coalition that includes ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox partners, and his comments frequently touch upon settlement activity in the occupied West Bank when discussing national resilience. (Attribution: Prime Minister’s office press remarks)
Daoud Shehab, a leader within Islamic Jihad in Gaza, linked the attack to political moves affecting West Bank settlements. He suggested the timing aligned with decisions related to the evacuation of four settlements, signaling broader tensions across the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (Attribution: Statements from Islamic Jihad leadership)
An Israeli Army spokesperson reported that soldiers investigated the residence of the attacker in Ni’lin as part of the broader security response. In parallel, Israeli authorities have frequently faced international scrutiny for measures taken against attackers’ family members, a policy seen by many human rights groups as collective punishment. (Attribution: Israeli military briefings and human rights observations)
protests
The incident occurred on Dizengoff Street, the heart of Tel Aviv, amid thousands of protesters voicing opposition to proposed judicial reforms. Organizers and city officials urged demonstrators to refrain from further marches and return home, underscoring the tense moment for the city. (Attribution: protest organizers and city officials)
Footage circulating on social media showed bystanders at a cafe stunned by the gunfire. The alleged assailant was depicted attempting to flee through a narrow alley as law enforcement and civilians fired in his direction. (Attribution: social media clips and witness accounts)
Emergency responders from Magen David Adom transported three injured individuals to Ichilov Hospital. The casualties were listed as critical, serious, and moderate in condition. Paramedics from United Hatzalah reported treating a large number of people for emotional distress and shock. (Attribution: MDA and United Hatzalah updates)
The attack drew remarks from U.S. officials; Tom Nides, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, expressed shock at the brazen nature of the terrorist act targeting civilians in Tel Aviv. Separately, Israeli authorities reported the discovery of a suspicious object on a Betar Illit bus, prompting a rapid response from bomb-disposal units. (Attribution: statements from the U.S. ambassador and Israeli security forces)
In the same timeframe, Israeli forces conducted operations in the northern West Bank, including a deadly confrontation in a village, contributing to a broader pattern of violence in the region. Across 2023, the conflict has seen a steady escalation with many casualties on both sides, including clashes during ongoing Israeli army raids in the occupied territories. (Attribution: official briefings and independent human rights assessments)