Four police officers wounded in Kochav Yair ramming attack

ramming attack late Tuesday night wounded four police officers in Kochav Yair, in central Israel just along the Green Line. The 26-year-old Arab-Israeli assailant was shot dead.

Wahab Shbeta, arrived from nearby Tira at the 109 checkpoint near Alfei Menashe. The Shbeta family denied any nationalistic motive behind the attack, saying they had even warned authorities of their son’s intent to harm.

“He was a quiet and introverted person who was lately diagnosed with a mental illness and was treated at home,” they said, adding that their son left the house upset, in a manner that concerned them, which was why they alerted police to his condition, and passed them details of his vehicle. “A short time later, police informed us he was killed by security officers.”

All four officers were evacuated for further medical treatment, one in serious condition, another moderately wounded , and two lightly. The Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva later said that the seriously injured officer was recovering after treatment and reclassified as in moderate condition.

The Shbeta family said, “All we ask is to bury the body, and for a transparent and fair investigation to take place.” The family also highlighted “the ease with which police officers pull the trigger when it comes to Arab citizens. Violence in any form must be condemned.”

The police denied that it had any communication with the family before the attack. It followed by two days a stabbing attack in Gan Yavne, where three people were wounded, one seriously.