Canadian killed in stabbing attempt in southern Israel

JERUSALEM

A Canadian citizen was shot dead in a stabbing attempt in the southern Israeli town of Netiv HaAsara near the border with the Gaza Strip on Monday, according to Israeli media.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the suspect pulled out a knife and tried to stab Israeli soldiers and security personnel at the entrance to the town before being “neutralized” by Israeli forces.

Haaretz newspaper said the suspect was killed by Israeli forces.

Israeli police said no injuries were reported in the attack.

Initial media reports said the suspect was an American citizen before he was identified as a Canadian.

According to Israeli Channel 12, the suspect had arrived in Israel as a tourist and rented a car for two weeks. He had left Ashdod in southern Israel in the morning before reaching Netiv HaAsara.

The attack came amid rising tensions over Israel’s deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which killed nearly 39,000 since Oct. 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack.

Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio