The three victims of Tuesday morning’s terror attack near the Ariel settlement in the West Bank were named by evening.
One was Michael Ladygin, 36, a resident of the central coastal town of Bat Yam, who was stabbed by the killer. He left behind a wife and two children, according to Bat Yam mayor Tzvika Brot, who added that Ladygin had moved to Israel five years ago.
A second was Motti Ashkenazi, 59, a resident of the central city of Yavne. He worked as a supplier for the gas distributor of Amisragas in the West Bank.
Ashkenazi is survived by his wife, three children and two grandchildren.
“Motti was a loving person, full of joy, an exemplary husband and a family man with a huge soul who was always eager to help everyone,” his family said in comments from Yavne Municipality.
A spokesman for Yavne said the city “shares the family’s grief and supports them during this difficult time”.
The third was 50-year-old Tamir Avihai, a resident of Kiryat Netafim settlement and a father of six, who was killed when the terrorist slammed his car into him after the stabbing.
The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, described Avihai, whom he knew personally, as “a kind man” who was always looking to help other people.
“Everyone who knew him loved him,” Dagan said in a statement.
The Kiryat Netafim settlement said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened to announce the passing of our friend, a resident of the settlement, Tamir Avihai. We send a warm hug and a lot of strength to his family and children. The community of Kiryat Netafim will do everything they can to help the family.”
There were no immediate details about the burials of the victims.
Israeli security forces and medics at the scene of a terror attack, at the entrance to the industrial zone of Ariel, in the West Bank, on Nov. 15, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
According to the Israel Defense Forces, a Palestinian terrorist stabbed a security guard at the entrance to the Ariel Industrial Park. The terrorist then stabbed three people at and next to a nearby gas station before fleeing in an apparently stolen vehicle.
Soon after, the terrorist crashed the vehicle into other cars on the Route 5 freeway, before getting out and stabbing another person, medics said. He then stole another vehicle and drove it against traffic, crashing into more cars, before getting out and being shot dead by soldiers and armed civilians.
MDA said the 36-year-old security guard was seriously injured. Security officials investigated how the terrorist managed to flee after stabbing the guard at the first scene, and why he was not shot by another guard. The second guard fired alone into the air.
Two men in their 40s who were stabbed near the gas station were killed, and another man in his 40s was seriously injured. Apart from Avihai, who was killed after being rammed by the terrorist, another 35-year-old was stabbed and seriously injured on Route 5, according to MDA.
Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva said it was treating three victims in serious condition, one of whom was unstable. It later said the condition of one of the victims had improved.
Muhammed Souf (via Twitter)
The terrorist was named by the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry as 18-year-old Muhammed Souf, who hails from the nearby town of Hares.
Local officials said the terrorist had worked in the industrial area and had a valid permit. Souf had no previous security violations, a defense source told The Times of Israel.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
