UPDATE, Wednesday, January 22 — Authorities now say that five people were stabbed by terrorist Abdelaziz Kaddi on Tuesday. They were taken to Ichilov Hospital where one was in serious condition, another had moderate injuries, and three others were treated for light injuries and released.
ESCONDIDO, California — In Tel Aviv, two people were severely wounded when they were stabbed in a terror attack on Tuesday. An off-duty border policewoman shot the terrorist repeatedly in the torso. Investigators reported that he was a Moroccan whose “green card” entitled him to residency in the U.S.
The Shin Bet security agency said that the stabber, Abdelaziz Kaddi, 29, arrived in Israel January 18. Upon his arrival, he underwent a security assessment which included interrogation and additional checks, but he was cleared for entry.
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The Samaria region has experienced heightened tensions and violent incidents in recent days following the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three female Israeli hostages in a ceasefire deal, prompting security forces to intervene in multiple locations. These events, which include riots, infiltrations, and violent confrontations, underscore the growing instability in the area.
In Al-Funduq which is located in the Samaria region, clashes erupted between local Jewish and Arab residents. According to IDF reports, masked Jews arrived in the area, setting fire to a property. The situation escalated further as Arab rioters threw stones and attacked security forces dispatched to the scene.
In the wake of the riots and other incidents, Hamas issued a call for “escalation of resistance in all its forms” to confront what they described as “settler terror.” The statement emphasized an intention to combat both settlers and Israeli forces.
In response to the increasing violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of Operation “Iron Wall,” a large-scale military campaign targeting terrorism in the region. He emphasized the systematic efforts to combat Iranian-backed terrorism in multiple fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, and northern Samaria.
Senior security officials have confirmed that the operation could take months. One official stated, “By the end of it, the terror camps will cease to exist. What we accomplished in Gaza, we will do here as well—leaving them in ruins.”
The Red Crescent reported that 21 individuals were injured during the riots in Al-Funduq. Among them, 12 suffered severe injuries from physical blows, and nine were affected by tear gas inhalation. Security forces dispersed the crowds, but the area remains tense.
In a separate incident, several individuals infiltrated Israeli territory through a breach in the fence in the Samaria region. The details are still under investigation, and no special instructions have been issued to the public at this time.
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Miriam Gershenson, an Israeli American, is a freelance writer based in Escondido. Her column is based on reports from Israeli news media.
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