Drive-by Shooting Kills One, Wounds Five Near West Bank

A 35-year-old Israeli man died and five others suffered gunshot wounds in a series of drive-by shootings on Sunday across sites near Kochav Yair, Tzur Yitzhak and Tzur Natan in central Israel. Israeli police described the events as a suspected terror attack and said the primary gunman, an Israeli Arab from Tayibe, was killed during the response; Israeli media reported a second suspect was also killed.

Magen David Adom personnel, diverted from a nearby training exercise, treated victims at multiple scenes. One casualty was pronounced dead inside a vehicle after showing no pulse or breathing. Two of the five wounded were listed in serious condition and taken to hospitals. Police recovered the weapon and the suspected vehicle, imposed a security cordon on Tayibe and neighboring Arab villages, and urged the public to report suspicious activity.

Hamas praised the operation as heroic without claiming responsibility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a briefing. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that Israel’s Arab community represents a dangerous breeding ground for terrorism that seeks to destroy the state and called for profound change. Israeli forces deployed additional soldiers to one attack site and a nearby West Bank settlement.

The shootings occurred close to the West Bank city of Qalqilya. Police and the Shin Bet launched raids in the area. No independent confirmation exists for the exact number of suspects neutralized beyond the primary gunman identified by authorities.