Authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the terrorist attack on Monday, where a Druze man who with a background of mental illness stabbed a 65-year-old man to death.
Security forces neutralized and killed the attacker at the scene. According to the Shin Bet security agency, the perpetrator has been identified as a Druze man named Yitro Shaheen, a 20-year-old resident of Shfaram who held German citizenship. The Druze community in Israel is considered to be an ally of the state and its men serve in the military, making the attack extremely rare.
The victim, an Arab from the Galilee was pronounced dead after suffering critical wounds in a stabbing attack the central bus station in Haifa just off the Lev Hamifratz mall.
Medical personnel pronounced his death at the scene. Four additional stabbing victims were evacuated for treatment at Rambam Health Care Campus: three in serious condition – a man and woman approximately 30 years old and a 15-year-old boy – along with a 70-year-old woman in moderate condition. Hospital officials reported that all four were receiving treatment in the intensive care unit and currently face no immediate threat to their lives.
Video: The footage of the attack in Haifa on March 3, 2025 / Credit: Usage under Article 27a of Israeli intellectual property law
An eyewitness who was present at the location told Israel Hayom: "The attacker arrived from the north to the Shfaram station on the main road, disembarked from the bus, and then boarded bus 167 heading to Haifa central station. The moment he reached the central station, he got off the bus, began shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and stabbing people – until security forces arrived and neutralized the attacker."
After a preliminary investigation, police officials revealed that the attacker had been living abroad in recent months and only returned to Israel last week. He began his attack by stabbing passengers with a knife inside a bus at the central station. The man who was pronounced dead at the scene had suffered multiple stab wounds to his back, and an initial examination of the scene identified a gunshot wound to his foot.
Israel Railways announced that with police approval and under their guidance, train service at the Lev Hamifratz gradually resumed normal operations following earlier disruptions. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav decided to cut short his attendance at areal estate conference in Eilat and is returning to Haifa. In response to the attack, the municipality has increased security patrols of municipal vehicles in coordination with Israel Police around educational institutions. Additionally, security personnel at all educational institutions have been directed to heighten their vigilance.
Head of the Druze community in Israel Sheikh Mowafak Tarif issued a statement distancing the ethnic group from the murderous attack. "We strongly condemn the incident that occurred this morning and extend our condolences to the family of the murder victim, along with wishes for recovery to the wounded. This is an extremely difficult and unfortunate event. My heart goes out to the affected families. Before rushing to judgment, it is essential to wait for the facts to be thoroughly examined and for security forces to complete their investigation regarding the background, origin, circumstances, and the severe mental illness from which he reportedly suffered. Members of the Druze community fight against terrorism everywhere, and it should be noted that the citizens who participated in neutralizing the attacker were also members of the Druze community."
