One killed and four injured in Haifa transit stabbing attack
- A stabbing attack in Haifa left one person dead and four others wounded.
- The assailant was a 20-year-old Druze man who was killed by an armed security guard.
- Israeli authorities are treating the attack as a militant act amid ongoing tensions with Gaza.
In Israel, a violent stabbing attack occurred at a transit hub in Haifa, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to four others. The assailant, a 20-year-old Druze individual, initiated his attack by boarding a bus where he stabbed multiple passengers before continuing his assault outside the bus. The tragic event took place amidst rising tensions due to the ongoing conflict with Gaza. The victim, identified as 70-year-old Hassan Karim Dhamshe, succumbed to his injuries after the attack. Among the injured are an elderly woman in her 70s, a 15-year-old boy, and two adults in their 30s, with one person remaining in critical condition following emergency surgery. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the assailant carried out the attack. The incident raised alarm as it unfolded while Arab foreign ministers convened in Cairo to discuss rebuilding plans for Gaza. Israeli authorities quickly categorized the violent act as a militant attack tied to broader tensions between Israel and Gaza. Although Hamas praised the stabbing, they did not claim direct responsibility for the incident. The attack sparked reactions from Israeli leadership, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to momentarily leave his corruption trial to address the situation. He expressed grief over the loss of life and sympathy for the wounded, reaffirming his commitment to combating those who threaten Israeli citizens. In light of the attack, discussions surrounding the Egyptian plan for Gaza gained prominence. The proposal outlined temporary zones for displaced residents and a Palestinian administration that would remain independent from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. This contrasted sharply with a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, which included relocating Palestinians outside of Gaza. As such, the Haifa attack exemplifies the precarious circumstances that characterizes the region, underscoring the persistent cycle of violence amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.