Updated 6 minutes ago
At least three people were killed in an attack in the central Israeli city of Elad Thursday, health officials said.
Police said the incident, which occurred as Israelis celebrated their state’s birthday, appeared to be a terrorist attack.
The Israel Ambulance Service said two other people were seriously injured.
Police set up roadblocks to try to arrest the attackers, who apparently fled the scene.
In televised statements, the mayor of Elad called on residents to stay indoors while the security forces were still performing their duties.
The Israel Ambulance Service said two other people were seriously injured.
Prior to the Elad attack, Palestinians and members of Israel’s Arab minority killed 15 people, including three police officers and a security guard, in attacks inside Israel and the West Bank that mostly targeted civilians.
Israel responded with raids and arrests in Palestinian towns and villages, which often ignited clashes and raised the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces’ bullets since the beginning of the year to no less than 40.
This number includes dead members of armed groups, lone attackers and bystanders.
