The Israel Defense Forces reported that an assailant infiltrated a private home in the community of Halamish, also known as Neve Tsuf, north west of Ramallah, and stabbed four Israeli civilians. Three of the victims died as a result of their wounds, and one was evacuated to Shaare Tzedek hospital.
The assailant, whom Channel 2 identified as Palestinian, was shot by a neighbor. Palestinian media have identified the attacker as Omar al Abed, age 20, from the West Bank village of Khobar, near Ramallah. He left an online manifesto before the attack in which he stated that he felt obligated to act in light of recent events.
IDF forces arrived at the scene and are continuing to search the area.
Magen David Adom emergency medical services reported on Friday evening that at 9:50 p.m. a call was received regarding the attack. According to MDA, a 60-year-old man, a 60-year-old woman, and a 40 year-old-man, were killed, and a woman, 60, was injured.
Channel 2 reported that the IDF has called for residents to stay indoors as there may be other assailants in the vicinity, however, they predicted that it was likely a stand alone attack. They also reported that the IDF is increasing security in Jewish settlements in that area. A senior IDF official confirmed that forces are searching Halamish and surrounding areas to ensure there is not another terrorist in the area.
Hamas has issued a statement of support for the attack, calling it a "necessary reaction" to new Israeli security procedures at the Temple Mount. In a tweet, they called it "heroic."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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