Israel beefs up security post attack
Israel imposed prohibitory orders on Palestinian movements an deployed more troops after Palestinian militants attacked a popular nightspot in Tel Aviv. The Israeli government said it was revoking entry permits for more than 80,000 Palestinians during Ramadan in a bid to prevent further violence. Israel's army has also reportedly sent 2 additional battalions to reinforce their positions in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians have reportedly carried out several dozens of attacks on Israelis over the past eight months. The attacks mostly included shootings, stabbings, car ramming, etc. that killed 32 Israelis along with two Americans. Around 200 Palestinians, mostly identified by Israel as attackers, were killed during the attacks. Although the attacks became less frequent in recent times, they occurred nearly daily in the past.
Israel's most cosmopolitan city–Tel Aviv has not been spared from terror attacks. On 1 Jan'16, an Israeli minority member killed three people and injured seven as he went on a shooting rampage. In Mar'16, an American was killed, and seven were wounded as a Palestinian went on a stabbing spree. In May'16, a Palestinian teen stabbed a 19-year-old Israeli soldier with a screwdriver.
Two gunmen identified as Palestinians opened fire near a well kwell-known market in central Tel Aviv last night; the attack claimed the lives of four and wounded at least five. The attack took place near the Sarona market, which is a famous tourist spot with a lot of crowded restaurants and shops. Israel's military headquarters is across the street from the attacked market.
Moshe Edri–Tel Aviv District Police commander stated that the attackers were detained and one of them was undergoing treatment for a gunfire wound. Officials earlier stated that there might be a third gunman; but, ruled that out after scrutinizing the camera footage and extensive searches. The four slain civilians were taken to Ichilov Hospital in a critical condition, who later succumbed to their wounds.
Before reaching the Sarona market, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly met with security leaders and the Defense Minister immediately after the attack. His office stated that Netanyahu called it "a cold-blooded murder by despicable terrorists."
CCTV footage aired on Channel 10 showed two suited men shooting at diners in a restaurant as they tried to run away and escape the attack. Sarona's director–Shlomi Hajaj stated that security guards stationed at the entrance prevented gunmen from entering the packed market and averted a massive disaster. Police stated that the attackers belonged to the same family from Yatta, a Palestinian village.
An Islamic militant organization Hamas, which rules Gaza, appreciated the deadly attack in Tel Aviv but claimed no responsibility for it. Mushir al-Masri, an official of the Hamas group, welcomed the attack and also called the shootings a "heroic operation." It was also reported that Hamas released a statement and promised Israel "more surprises during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan."
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, stated that Hamas welcoming the deadly attack was utterly shocking. Mark Toner, US State Department spokesman, condemned the horrific attack and said, "Cowardly attacks against innocent civilians can never be justified." Danny Danon, Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN, urged the UNSC to condemn the attack. Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld stated that intelligence sources didn't warn of any attack.
