Israeli vigilance stops premeditated jihad-inspired attack, protecting soldiers from deadly nationalist terror assault.
The Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office filed a grave indictment Sunday against Mahmoud Hamad, a 50-year-old resident of Qalandiya, for attempting to carry out a combined ramming and stabbing terror attack at the Hizma checkpoint.
According to prosecutors, the suspect meticulously planned to murder Israeli soldiers after being denied entry into Israel. Authorities say he was driven by nationalist motives and personal humiliation.
Planned Terror Attack
The indictment submitted to the Jerusalem District Court outlines a chilling sequence:
- The suspect arrived at the checkpoint driving an unlicensed, uninsured vehicle.
- Soldiers requested identification and barred him from entering Israel due to lack of authorization.
- After returning home, he allegedly decided to kill Jewish soldiers.
- He armed himself with two large kitchen knives placed beside him in the vehicle.
- His plan: ram soldiers at high speed and, if necessary, stab them in the chest to ensure death.
Investigators state that traffic congestion at the checkpoint prevented him from accelerating sufficiently to execute the ramming. After crossing into Israel, he reportedly became disoriented and ultimately crashed into the security barrier near the Ginat Sakhrov interchange, where he was arrested.
Charges Filed
The defendant faces multiple severe charges, including:
- Attempted murder in the context of a terrorist act
- Illegal entry into Israel
- Possession of a knife
- Driving without a license
- Driving without insurance
Israeli authorities emphasized that alert security procedures and layered checkpoint enforcement once again prevented what could have been a deadly attack.
Security Message
The case underscores the continued threat of lone-wolf nationalist violence and the critical importance of vigilant border enforcement. Israeli security forces remain on constant alert to prevent attacks targeting soldiers and civilians alike.
The swift interception at Hizma stands as another example of operational readiness protecting lives in the face of premeditated terror.
