Canadian tourist attempts to stab Israeli soldiers over ‘slaughter in Gaza,' shot by security forces

Attacker shouted in English about “civilians being killed in Gaza by the IDF”

Read this article in:

A Canadian tourist was shot and neutralized by security forces after attempting to stab Israeli soldiers at Moshav Netiv HaAsara on Monday morning, Israeli media reported.

The condition of the attacker wasn't clear at the time of publication, with conflicting reports stating he was either critically wounded or dead. His identity was subject to several conflicting reports as well, as he was reported to be either an Arab Israel, an American or a Canadian citizen.

A 61-year-old woman was treated at the scene for acute shock, the Magen David Adom rescue service said.

Scene of the stabbing attack at the entrance of Netiv Ha'asara, On July 22, 2024. (Photo: Social Media)

Ambulances of Magen David Adom on their way to the scene of the stabbing attack at the entrance of Netiv Ha'asara, On July 22, 2024. (Photo: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

The IDF later confirmed he was a Canadian citizen, with Army Radio reporting he was a Muslim, who entered the country on Sunday on a tourist visa.

“We emphasize that the suspect is a foreign citizen who arrived at the scene from Israel and not from the Gaza Strip,” the IDF added.

After allegedly spending the night in the Ashdod area, he drove to the entrance gate of Netiv HaAsara in a rental car at about 11 a.m, according to reports.

He then began shouting in English, “Civilians are being killed in Gaza by the IDF,” and about a "slaughter in Gaza" before pulling out a knife and trying to stab soldiers from the local security team.

The soldiers opened fire and shot the man. An eyewitness, who, by chance, was on the scene as the incident unfolded, told ALL ISRAEL NEWS that the soldiers shouted at the attacker to put down his knife at least three times before shooting him.

רגעי בניטרול בש.ג של נתיב העשרה pic.twitter.com/auwgCgrMjc
— מנדי ריזל (@mendi_rizel) July 22, 2024

Security forces discovered no phone calls to Israel on the attacker's phone, suggesting he acted independently and without local accomplices, according to Army Radio.

Due to the location of Netiv HaAsara, on the northern border of the Gaza Strip, the IDF initially believed the attacker had infiltrated from the coastal enclave.