Two assassins disguised as police ambushed a jeep on Route 443, killing IDF reservist Sergei Metatov — a hero who stopped to help.
Israel was stunned on Thursday as details emerged from the deadly Route 443 shooting — a calculated and cold-blooded attack that saw two assassins impersonating police officers to ambush their targets and murder an Israeli hero who tried to intervene.
According to the investigation, the killers rode a motorcycle outfitted to look like that of Israeli police — complete with flashing blue lights, police-style jackets, and markings that mimicked authentic law enforcement gear. The pair trailed what appeared to be a military Rubicon jeep, following closely before opening fire at point-blank range.
When the shooting began, Sergei Metatov, a 42-year-old reservist and Hadera resident, stopped his vehicle believing he was witnessing a terror attack. Acting out of courage and duty, Sergei got out to assist the victims — only to be fatally shot by the assassins.
As the wounded occupants of the jeep scrambled to safety behind Sergei’s car, one of the gunmen dismounted and unleashed a deadly burst of fire. Sergei, standing between them and the attackers, was struck and killed instantly — his selfless act forever marking him as a symbol of Israeli bravery.
Nearby Israeli special forces, alerted by civilians shouting “Terrorists!”, swiftly engaged the suspects. They managed to neutralize one of the motorcycle assassins, who later succumbed to his wounds. The second terrorist was captured shortly afterward at a police checkpoint.
Metatov, a devoted husband and father, worked as a project engineer for Ken HaTor Construction Company and had served hundreds of days in IDF reserve duty during the Gaza war. Friends and colleagues described him as “the embodiment of courage and kindness” — a man who didn’t hesitate to help others, even in mortal danger.
Israel’s security establishment now fears that terror cells may be adopting disguise tactics to exploit Israeli trust in security forces — a deeply troubling development that calls for heightened vigilance across all fronts.
