At least three people were murdered and four others wounded in a terrorist attack in the haredi city of Elad Thursday night.
Several Magen David Adom (MDA) and United Hatzalah ambulances were called to the scene of the incident. According to MDA's statement, there are seven victims in total, three of whom have passed away. Of the other four victims, three are in serious condition, one is in moderate condition, and one is in light condition.
According to preliminary reports, the terrorists attacked people with an axe on a city street before moving to a nearby park to continue the killing spree. Police spokesperson Eli Levy said that there were reportedly two attackers, one armed with an axe, and one with a knife.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Moshe Sa'adon, the head of the Elad chapter for the organization who was one of the first responders to arrive at the scene said, "Unfortunately, one of the people injured in the stabbing incident was pronounced dead at the scene. We had performed CPR on him in an attempt to save his life but were unsuccessful.
"Additionally, together with other first responders, I treated two other people who were in critical condition and three additional people in serious condition. There is also one person in moderate to serious condition and a number of people who sustained light injuries."
MDA Paramedic Alon Rizkan said: "This was a very difficult call. When we arrived we realized that this was a complex scene. A 40 year old male was found near a vehicle by Ibn Gvirol traffic circle with serious injuries. We performed medical checks but he had no signs of life and we could only pronounce him dead. I went down the stairs to the nearby park, we performed CPR on a 40 year old male who was unconscious, but in the end had to pronounce him dead.
"Several meters away we found another 40 year old male who also had serious injuries, and he was also pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts. 3 further victims, males of 60 and 35 who were seriously wounded were treated on scene and then conveyed to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer and Beilinson Hospital, sedated and intubated. A 40 year old male in moderate condition was conveyed to Beilinson Hospital, and a 23 year old male who fought with the terrorists was conveyed in mild condition to hospital," he said,
One witness wrote on Twitter: "I was in an attack in Elad. The terrorists approached me and a friend with huge axes. My whole arm was covered in blood but I was miraculously saved. Thank G-d."
Elad Mayor Yisrael Porush called on residents to remain in their homes: "Everyone should stay at home and close the doors to their balconies, as it is not yet clear if the perpetrators have been caught. Security forces are doing their job and we should not make it more difficult for them."
The mayor added: "The incident occurred in the city's main park, which covers a large area and makes it harder for police. To the best of my understanding, there is more than one area of focus in this incident."