Greece condemns "cowardly" terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, week long terror wave grips Israel

By 2 years ago

"Profoundly shocked by reports of yet another heinous terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. Heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wishes for a full recovery to the injured. Greece condemns these cowardly acts of violence and stands firmly in solidarity with Israel and its people," the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A shooting on Dizengoff Street in central Tel Aviv left at least two dead and 15 wounded on Thursday night - the latest attack to hit the Jewish country after last week's "terror wave."

The gunman - identified as Raed Hazem, a 28-year-old Palestinian from the Jenin region of the West Bank - was found and killed by Israeli forces Friday morning in the city of Jaffa.

At least 9 people were shot in the attack, with victims being taken to Ichilov, Sheba Tel Hashomer and Wolfson hospitals, according to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service.

Two men, "approximately 30 years old," were pronounced dead at Ichilov Hospital.

Three people in serious condition -- a 20-year-old man, 28-year-old woman and 38-year-old man -- were being treated for serious injuries, according to the medical service. Four others were being treated for mild injuries.

Dizengoff Street is a major street that runs through the cosmopilitan city and has many shops, bars and restaurants and would have been bustling with activity on a Thursday night.

"It has been a very difficult night," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter. "I send my condolences to the families of those who were murdered, and I pray for the complete recovery of the wounded. Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorist who carried out the murderous rampage tonight in Tel Aviv. Wherever the terrorist is – we will get to him. And everyone who helped him indirectly or directly -- will pay a price.”

The attack Thursday is one of several recent terror attacks in the country. There were three fatal terror attacks at the end of March. On March 30, five people were shot to death in Bnei Brak by a man on a motorcycle who was later killed by police. One of the victims was a police officer, according to Magen David Adom.

Two days earlier, on March 28, two police officers were shot to death and four others were wounded in an attack. Then, a week prior, four people were killed in a stabbing attack in the southern city of Beersheba. The suspect was shot dead.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.

"Americans are, once again, grieving with the Israeli people in the wake of another deadly terrorist attack, which took the lives of two innocent victims and wounded many more in Tel Aviv," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"Our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

"We are closely following developments and will continue to be in regular contact with our Israeli partners, with whom we stand resolutely in the face of senseless terrorism and violence."

"Horrified to see another cowardly terror attack on innocent civilians, this time in Tel Aviv," U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides wrote on Twitter. "Praying for peace, and sending condolences to the victims and their families. This has to stop!"

"It has been a very difficult night," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter. "I send my condolences to the families of those who were murdered, and I pray for the complete recovery of the wounded. Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorist who carried out the murderous rampage tonight in Tel Aviv. Wherever the terrorist is – we will get to him. And everyone who helped him indirectly or directly -- will pay a price.”

READ MORE: Aaron Eckhart gets attacked while filming a chaotic protest scene in Greece.

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