At least four people were murdered and multiple others injured in a terrorist shooting attack at a gas station near the city of Eli in the Binyamin region Tuesday afternoon.
The IDF stated that two terrorists approached the gas station in a vehicle and opened fire, moderately injuring a security guard. The terrorists then opened fire at a restaurant and shot a further five people.
An armed civilian shot and neutralized the terrorist. The second terrorist escaped and was located and eliminated by security forces about two hours later.
Magen David Adom (MDA) EMTs and Paramedics are evacuating two victims in critical condition, including a 20-year-old male to Shaare Tzedek Medical Center and a 38-year-old male to Beilinson Hospital. Four further victims, including three who are unconscious, were treated at the scene.
MDA EMT Motty Dahan said: "We received a call on MDA's 101 Emergency Call Center to a shooting attack at a gas station near the community of Eli. We arrived in large numbers and saw a complex site. Seven victims had gunshot wounds, some in the gas station and some in a nearby restaurant. We performed medical checks and began providing medical treatment, three of the victims were evacuated in MDA MICUs to the hospital, and unfortunately, four of the victims were pronounced dead."
MDA Paramedic Liz Goral added: “One of the victims who was seriously injured by gunshots at the gas station was brought to us by the community’s entrance. He was fully conscious and in pain. We moved him quickly to the MICU and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital while providing life-saving treatment including a tourniquet and drug therapy to stabilize his condition.”
United Hatzalah volunteer paramedics Aviah Chaim and Yoni Rosenfeld said: "Unfortunately four people were pronounced dead following resuscitation attempts that were unsuccessful. In addition, we provided initial treatment to four more people who suffered from gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of the incident, United Hatzalah's Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit also treated a number of people for emotional shock."
A helicopter has been dispatched to Eli.
An alarm was activated in Eli after the second shooter fled the scene. Residents were advised to remain in their homes until the second terrorist was apprehended.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is being briefed on the details of the attack and receiving updates on the efforts to apprehend the attackers. Minister Gallant will hold an operational situation assessment this evening at 6 pm tonight, together with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Director of the Shin Bet and additional senior officials in Israel’s defense establishment.