IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi on Sunday toured the scene of the deadly terrorist attack that took place in Kiryat Arba late Saturday night and ordered forces to increase security in the area. Ronen Hanania, a 50-year-old resident of the Jewish community, was shot dead by the Palestinian terrorist outside a convenience store on Saturday vening.
Kohavi was presented with additional steps to increase security in the area, including the deployment of additional troops and the blocking of roads in the area of Hebron.
The Chief of Staff visited after Israeli troops mapped the terrorist’s home ahead of its possible demolition.
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— הרצל חג'אג' (@herzelhajaj) October 30, 2022
The terrorist behind the attack
The terrorist, identified as Hebron resident Muhammed Kamel al-Jaabari, was run over by the settlement’s military security coordinator after opening fire with an M-16 rifle in a store near the Ashmoret checkpoint. He was then shot dead by an off-duty IDF officer.
According to reports, several members of Jaabari’s family are associated with Hamas, including his brother who was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal and exiled to Gaza.
Jaabari, who was a teacher in Hebron affiliated with Hamas, was said to be terminally ill with cancer.
The victim was identified as 50-year-old Ronen Hanania, a resident of Kiryat Arba. His 19-year-old son and Magen David Adom medic Ofer Ohana were seriously wounded.
Hanania’s son told Channel 12 that he had gone to a convenience store with his father and when they returned to their car, the attacker opened fire.
“The bullet entered and his head opened up. I saw him die,” he said.
MDA medic Yisrael Lior, who was present at the scene of the attack, stated on Saturday night that he arrived with another medic to the scene at the Ashmoret checkpoint in Hebron and saw a man who had been shot in a car.
"While I was running to get medical equipment, I heard the medic I was with shouting "I'm injured. [They're] shooting at me,'" said Lior. "We took cover and while I was providing life-saving treatment to the medic I was with, we called in additional forces and after they arrived, we evacuated the injured person from the vehicle and the medic I was with to the hospital."
According to Channel 13, Jaabari opened fire on Hanania and his son in their car before escaping back to Hebron. He returned to the scene eight minutes later and opened fire on the medics providing emergency care to the victims, injuring Ohana and the Palestinian medic.
Politicians respond to terror attack
Following the attack, Defense Minister Benny Gantz held a situation assessment with Kohavi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar. Gantz was debriefed on the operational activities in the region and instructed the establishment to develop operational plans in accordance with developments on the ground.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid also carried out a situation assessment after the attack and ordered that security forces in the area be reinforced.
"I share in the grief of the family of the person murdered in tonight's attack. There are no words that can comfort you at this difficult time. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured," said Lapid. "We will act with all the tools at our disposal and we will not allow terrorism to raise its head."
The attack took place near the home of far-right MK Itamar-Ben Gvir, who wrote on Twitter that he, his family and the residents of Kiryat Arba were told to stay inside as Israeli security forces investigated the attack.
“My family is currently being secured under a shooting attack on our home in Givat Avot,” Ben-Gvir wrote on Twitter on Saturday night. “We’re listening to the instructions from security forces.”
Following the attack, Palestinian media reported that settlers held demonstrations throughout the West Bank and several vehicles in Hebron were damaged by settlers of Kiryat Arba.