Terror attack in Jerusalem: janitor strangles and stabs Israeli woman

On December 19, 2024, in Jerusalem, a 74-year-old Israeli woman was violently attacked in her apartment by a 60-year-old Arab janitor from east Jerusalem. The attacker, who worked in the apartment building where the victim lived, initially arrived under the guise of performing cleaning and maintenance work. Instead of completing his task, he attacked her, attempting to strangle her, an act that Israeli investigators later classified as attempted murder motivated by nationalistic reasons. Upon realizing she had survived the strangulation, he returned to stab her multiple times with a knife found in the apartment. After inflicting severe injuries, the assailant stole jewelry from the woman and fled the scene. Despite her severe wounds, the victim managed to call her daughter for help, which ultimately led to her rescue. Meanwhile, the assailant attempted to evade justice by selling the stolen goods at a pawn shop in east Jerusalem before fleeing to Samaria. However, within hours, Israeli authorities were able to locate and arrest him. In the subsequent investigation, which involved both Israeli police and the Shin Bet internal security agency, it was revealed that the motives behind the attack were not rooted in robbery, but instead were linked to the assailant's anger related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This marked a disturbing trend where nationalistic sentiments drive acts of violence and terror against civilians. The suspect faced legal proceedings as he was brought before a Jerusalem court for an extension of his detention during the preparation of an indictment. The apparent premeditation of his actions and the background of his motivations have raised concerns about rising tensions and the potential for similar attacks in the future, highlighting the complex and frequently violent dynamics in the region.