A Palestinian armed with a knife attacked passengers on a bus in Tel Aviv earlier today wounding at least 12 people before being shot by and arrested by a passing prison officer, Israeli police said.
The attacker struck in the morning rush hour in the heart of Israel’s commercial capital, police spokesperson Luba Samri said.
Twelve people were wounded in the attack, including three who were in serious condition, four in moderate condition and five who sustained light injuries, hospital sources said.
“The terrorist stabbed the bus driver several times but the driver fought back until he fled on foot and was neutralised by a guard from the prisons’ service,” a police statement said.
He was shot in the leg then taken to hospital for further investigation.
Police identified the attacker as a 23-year-old Palestinian from Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, who was staying in Israel illegally.
There was no claim of responsibility for Wednesday’s attack
The last attack in Tel Aviv was on November 10 when a Palestinian from the northern West Bank stabbed a young Israeli soldier who later died of his injuries.
Israel had fought a brief but violent war with the Palestinian Hamas movement in the occupied Gaza Strip
