Investigation underway and security stepped up in Israel, but PM Netanyahu blames 'Palestinian incitement' for deadly attack.
ADVERTISEMENTYoussef Otman’s body was prepared for burial as local residents mourned in the Israeli-Arab village of Abu Ghosh. He was among three Israelis shot dead by a Palestinian man in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.
Security has since been stepped up.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an inquiry was underway, but blamed the attack on ‘Palestinian incitement’.
“We are still investigating the event and its implications. We can say some things with certainty. For one thing, the terrorist’s home will be demolished. This murderous attack is the result of among other things systematic incitement by the Palestinian authorities and other elements, and I expect Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the attack and not try to justify it”, he said.
Israeli troops have since raided a house said to be the home of the assailant. He had security clearance to work in the area where the attack was carried out.
The 37-year-old succeeded in seriously wounding a fourth person before being shot dead, police said.
Hamas praised the act.
“This operation is brave and heroic. It comes as a natural result of the Israeli occupation’s crimes and violations against our people, land, sanctuaries, and our people in Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa mosque”, said spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum.
The incident coincided with the arrival in Jerusalem of the US envoy to the Middle East in an effort to renew Israel-Palestinian peace talks.