BREAKING [GRAPHIC]: Ramming attack Near Karkur Junction leaves 10 injured, 1 critical 

A car-ramming attack at a busy bus stop on Highway 65 near Karkur Junction injured 10 people this afternoon, Israeli authorities said, in what police are investigating as a meticulously planned act of terrorism. The assailant, identified as a Palestinian from Ma’ale Iron with no prior criminal or security record, was killed by police after striking two officers with his car following the attack.

The assault occurred around 4:18 p.m. local time, during one of the busiest hours of the week at the junction, when dozens of commuters were waiting for public transportation to head home for the weekend. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as a vehicle veered onto the sidewalk, striking pedestrians before speeding off. Emergency medical teams from Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived swiftly, finding victims scattered across the area, some lying on a dirt mound behind the bus stop.

“It was a severe scene,” said Orly Keinan, an MDA emergency medical technician. “When we arrived with large forces, we saw the injured—some of them told us they were hit by a vehicle that veered onto the sidewalk and fled. We provided life-saving medical treatment, including stopping bleeding, bandaging, and immobilization, before evacuating them to Hillel Yaffe Hospital.”

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera reported receiving 10 casualties from the attack: one in critical condition, two in serious condition, one in moderate condition, and six with light injuries. The victims, ranging in age from 20 to 70, included five men and three women, reflecting the diverse crowd typically present at the junction.

Police Commissioner Danny Levy rushed to the scene as authorities pieced together the sequence of events. Initial reports had suggested a stabbing component to the attack, but police later clarified that all injuries resulted from the car ramming. After striking the pedestrians, the suspect collided with a police vehicle, mildly injuring two officers. He was then “eliminated” by security forces, according to a police statement. Chief Superintendent Asi Aharoni confirmed the suspect’s arrest and subsequent death, noting, “From initial details, the person apprehended by the police is the one who carried out the attack.”

The attacker’s choice of timing and location underscored a deliberate intent to maximize harm, officials said. Karkur Junction, near the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur, is a bustling transit hub, particularly on Thursdays when commuters travel home ahead of the weekend. “He meticulously planned the attack and carefully chose the busiest hour,” said a source familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity as it was ongoing.

Emergency services continued to scour the area into the late afternoon, ensuring no additional victims remained unaccounted for. MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller reported that medical teams were treating eight casualties at the scene, though the hospital’s higher tally suggested some victims may have arrived independently.

The attack has heightened tensions in a region already on edge amid sporadic violence. Israeli authorities have pledged a thorough investigation, with Police Commissioner Levy expected to provide further updates as details emerge. For now, the focus remains on the victims, whose conditions are being closely monitored at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.

“This is a tragic reminder of the challenges we face,” said a local official at the scene, who declined to be named. “Our priority is supporting the injured and ensuring justice is served.”

Hamas praises the attack in Karkur, calling it "a heroic response against the occupation."

UPDATED:

The terrorist was a Palestinian, illegal resident from northern Samaria, estimated by the Shin Bet to be a resident of Jenin, in his 50s. He was shot dead after exiting the vehicle with a screwdriver. The vehicle was most likely stolen, and the documents found belonged to the registered owner. The terrorist was married to an Israeli Arab woman.

Update from Hillel Yafe Medical Center: So far, 12 people have been evacuated from the incident at Karkur Junction: Two in serious condition, a 17 year old teen girl in critical condition, four suffering from shock, one in moderate condition and five mildly wounded.