A 36-year-old truck driver was seriously wounded after a violent police chase in Wadi Ara turned deadly — leaving multiple injured and highways in lockdown.
A routine police patrol erupted into a dangerous pursuit early Sunday morning in Wadi Ara, when a 36-year-old truck driver defied orders to stop and plowed through multiple vehicles — including a police cruiser — before being shot by officers.
The dramatic chase unfolded along Highway 65, a key artery connecting northern Israel. The suspect’s reckless flight left three civilians with minor injuries and massive traffic disruption, as the runaway truck smashed through barriers and collided with both private and police vehicles.
🔫 Officers Open Fire Amid Life-Threatening Danger
According to the Israel Police, officers from the Iron Station identified a suspicious truck and instructed the driver to pull over. Instead, the driver accelerated, turning the highway into a deadly obstacle course.
“Due to the clear and immediate threat to life, officers fired shots and successfully neutralized the suspect,” the police statement read.
The suspect was hit in the neck and legs before being subdued. He was evacuated in serious but stable condition to Haemek Hospital in Afula. The injured civilians were also taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
⚖️ Police Stand Firm Against Anarchy
Police sources emphasized that the use of live fire was justified under the imminent threat-to-life protocol, given the suspect’s repeated attempts to ram police and civilian vehicles.
“This was not a traffic stop — it was an attempted attack on officers and innocent motorists,” one senior police official said. “The decisive and disciplined action of our officers prevented greater tragedy.”
🇮🇱 Broader Context: Security Tensions Rising
The Wadi Ara incident comes amid heightened national security alerts, as Israeli police increase operations against criminal networks and potential terror-linked smuggling routes across the north. Authorities are investigating whether the truck driver acted alone or had criminal affiliations.
