Four Israelis were stabbed Tuesday evening when a Moroccan man attacked them on a Tel Aviv street, according to Israeli media reports. Off-duty IDF commando soldiers nearby responded swiftly, shooting and killing the attacker.
The victims included two men in moderate condition and two others in good condition, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.
The assailant was identified as Abdelaziz Kaddi, a 29-year-old Moroccan citizen and U.S. green card holder, who entered Israel on Jan. 18 with a tourist visa. Kaddi had been flagged by airport security upon arrival and was questioned by Shin Bet agents, but was ultimately permitted entry.
Security concerns were raised due to Kaddi’s travel details. He had arrived on a connecting flight from Poland, was traveling alone, had no local contacts or accommodations, and exhibited other warning signs.. Despite these concerns, Shin Bet authorities determined there was no sufficient reason to deny his entry.
Following the attack, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel praised airport border inspectors for identifying the potential risk and referring Kaddi for questioning. Arbel called on Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar to investigate the handling of the case and to implement necessary lessons.
In a statement, Shin Bet confirmed Kaddi underwent a security assessment, including interrogation and additional checks, before being allowed into Israel. The agency said the decision was made due to a lack of sufficient data indicating a security threat but pledged to review the incident.
Kaddi was later found to have shared Islamist and anti-Israel content on social media, including posts praising militants killed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank, according to reports.
Among those on the scene of the attack was an IDF officer who lost his right hand in combat during the Gaza war. Identified only as Capt. A., he was with friends when the attack unfolded and attempted to stop the assailant. Capt. A. said he suffered a minor hand injury while intervening and expects to resume his company commanders’ course as planned.
Morocco and Israel have maintained diplomatic ties and strengthened relations through the Abraham Accords in 2020, with many Israelis, particularly those of Moroccan heritage, visiting the North African nation in recent years.
The attack was condemned by Faisal Marjani, president of the Moroccan Coexistence Association, who denounced the violence and reaffirmed the organization’s stance against terrorism.