Arab Israeli Gunman Kills One in Central Israel Attack

An Arab Israeli gunman opened fire across multiple communities in central Israel on Sunday, killing an IDF reservist and wounding five others in a rolling attack that lasted approximately 33 minutes before security forces shot him dead. Police later arrested a second suspect accused of involvement in the attack.

The attacker, identified as Omar Yassin, a 21-year-old Arab Israeli citizen from the town of Tayibe, carried out the assault using a makeshift “Carlo” submachine gun and a vehicle with Israeli license plates that was on the road illegally, according to police and security officials.

The Attack

The shooting spree began at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time when Yassin opened fire at civilians at a gas station near Kochav Ya’ir, wounding two people. He then continued to Tzur Yitzhak, where he shot at the community’s security post, injuring one civilian. Moving to Tzur Natan, he opened fire on the guard post, wounding the local security coordinator and a civilian woman.

On a road outside Tzur Natan, Yassin fired at a vehicle, killing Master Sgt. (res.) Haim Kalomiti, 55, a married father of three who served as a regional defense soldier in the IDF’s Ephraim Regional Brigade. The Prime Minister’s Office said Kalomiti “engaged the terrorist and courageously defended the residents of Tzur Natan from the despicable terrorist who embarked on a murderous shooting spree.”

The gunman then drove to the West Bank settlement of Sal’it and opened fire at its entrance before fleeing after the local security chief returned fire. No injuries were reported there. Police caught up to Yassin near a quarry on the outskirts of Tayibe at approximately 11:03 a.m. and shot him dead.

Accomplice Arrested

Police initially reported that the attacker acted alone but later announced the arrest of a second suspect, a man in his 20s also from Tayibe. According to the Jerusalem Post, the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the attack while searching for help hiding from law enforcement. During his arrest, he attempted to stab police detectives with a glass bottle before being subdued.

Political Fallout

The attack has intensified political debate in Israel, particularly because the perpetrator was an Arab Israeli citizen — a demographic that makes up approximately 21% of the population. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on X/Twitter that should terrorists be caught alive, they “will be executed — this is the law, and we will demand its enforcement,” referencing the controversial Death Penalty for Terrorists Law passed by the Knesset in March 2026.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the attack a “bloody wake-up call,” stating that “a dangerous and extremist terror network is growing under our noses that wants to destroy the State of Israel.” He pointed to what he described as hundreds of thousands of illegal weapons in Arab communities.

President Isaac Herzog said he was “shocked by the horrific terror attack” and offered condolences to Kalomiti’s family and prayers for the wounded, according to the Algemeiner.

Security Response

The IDF encircled several West Bank Palestinian villages in the area, sealed off a nearby crossing into Israel, and conducted raids in Tayibe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a situational assessment following the attack. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a preliminary inquiry at the scene alongside Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth.

Hila Hakmon, head of the Kochav Ya’ir local council, said the attack underscored demands for greater defense funding for communities near the West Bank security barrier. “Unfortunately, the changes in the security elements over the past two years are relatively marginal,” she told Army Radio. “We got some kind of funding from the army, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed here.”

Broader Context

Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility, describing it as a response to Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The attack occurred on the same day as an Iranian ballistic missile attack on northern Israel and an Israeli strike on Beirut’s Dahiyeh, underscoring the multi-front nature of Israel’s current security challenges.

What’s Next

Israeli officials said the investigation is continuing, including whether the arrested suspect had an operational role in the attack or assisted the perpetrator after the shootings began. The wounded victims remain hospitalized at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba and Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva. The attack has reignited debate over illegal weapons in Arab communities and the implementation of the death penalty for convicted terrorists.