Yesterday, during the Passover Seder night, terrorists opened fire on Israeli civilian vehicles. They murdered an Israeli police officer, critically wounded his wife, and injured a nine year-old child in a second vehicle.

Terrorists carried out the attack as the murder victim was on his way to the Seder dinner with his family. ”This tragic attack, killing an Israeli and wounding two others, is a horrific act of violencethat specifically targeted civilians that were travelling on the main road,” said IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.

IDF forces during searches for suspects

“The IDF immediately began a widespread search in order to apprehend the gunman and is now shifting its efforts to intelligence in pursuit of the perpetrator,” he added.

Israeli security forces have contended with many violent incidents throughout Judea and Samaria in recent months. ”The characteristic of terror originating in Judea and Samaria in recent years is that of individuals without a substantial infrastructure taking up arms and attacking Israelis. This reality impedes our capability to prevent these types of attacks before they occur,” Lt. Col. Lerner said.

Attack Welcomed by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Though they have not assumed responsibility for the attack, terrorist organizations in Gaza acclaimed it. “We in Hamas welcome the heroic act the took place in Hebron […] that killed one person and injured two others,” said Husan Badran, a Hamas leader. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad also published a statement praising the perpetrators of the attack.