Four Israelis Killed in West Bank Gas Station Attack

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Facts

  • On Tuesday, Israeli authorities confirmed that Palestinian gunmen killed four Israeli settlers and wounded four others near the settlement of Eli in the West Bank. One of the attackers was killed at the scene, and Israeli forces launched a manhunt in pursuit of additional suspects.1
  • Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, and other security chiefs to assess the situation, with Gallant warning that “all options are on the table” in an apparent reference to a potentially larger operation across the West Bank.2
  • The BBC reported that a second alleged attacker was shot and killed near the Palestinian town of Tubas in the northern West Bank after stealing a car and fleeing the scene. News reports indicate that the two gunmen arrived in a car and opened fire at people at a gas station and a nearby restaurant.3
  • Right-wing police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to launch a full-scale military operation in the West Bank. Hamas claimed that at least one of the gunmen was part of its armed wing, adding that the attack was in response to an Israeli raid into Jenin on Monday.4
  • The attack comes only a day after Israeli forces launched a large raid into the northern West Bank city of Jenin, leading to heavy clashes with local fighters that involved the rare usage of Israeli attack helicopters. Six Palestinians were killed and over 90 were wounded.5
  • The situation in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel has been deteriorating, with Israel launching regular raids into the West Bank — especially in the north — following a series of Palestinian attacks last year. Since the start of the year, at least 164 Palestinians and 21 Israelis have been killed, excluding this most recent attack.6

Sources: 1CNN, 2AL (a), 3BBC News, 4Reuters, 5Guardian, and 6AL (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The Times of Israel. Palestinian terrorism cannot be tolerated, and Israel will respond aggressively to defend its civilian population. Israeli forces in the area will be bolstered, arrests will be carried out, and the homes of these terrorists will be demolished in response to their brutal crimes.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Though this attack is, of course, a tragedy, it comes in the context of increased Israeli settlement and aggression in the occupied West Bank. Just on Monday, Israel killed six Palestinians, sparking yet another cycle of violence as Palestinians respond to increased Israeli provocations.