IS Attack in Hadera, Israel

Breaking news story from Hadera, Israel: Two IS in Israel operatives carried out a lethal attack on police officers last night, March 27th, in northern Israel.

The police spokeswoman of the regional authorities announced that two border police officers had been killed in the attack, of which one was a 19-year-old Israeli Druze man named Yazen Falah and the other was a 19-year-old Israeli-French Jewish woman, Shirel Abukarat. In the image below from CCTV footage, police say you can see the attackers taking a border police service rifles.

Fig.1.1. CCTV footage of the attackers with rifles (Source: Allalouf 2022)

Fig.1.2. The rifles briefly seized by the IS attackers (Source: Ibid.)

The rifles seen above, used by the border police and other security agencies, is an interesting Israeli invention called the “Mekutz’rar” meaning shortened in Hebrew. These are typically any 5.56×45mm Colt Commando or Colt 933 style carbine, though there is a similar concept of the “Menusar”, meaning sawn off in Hebrew, which refers to cut down full-length rifles. You can note the M4-pattern barrel length in the image but with no recessed cuts for underbarrel attachments. These also have an A1-style birdcage flash hider and flat top upper receivers, while the Menusar tend to have carry handle uppers. Some have reported that the lowers can be anything from original M16A1 lowers with no brass deflector to more modern types.

The images that follow are the remainder of the attacker’s gear and weapons with a short summary to conclude.

Fig.1.3. Crime scene aftermath (Source: Allalouf 2022)

Fig.1.4. Attacker’s handguns, including two Hi-Powers and an unknown, seemingly craft-made handgun (Source: Ibid)

Fig.1.5. Attacker’s ammo, IWI made 5.56×45mm (Source: Ibid)

Fig.1.6. Knives found on the attackers (Source: Ibid)

Fig.1.7. Close up of the knives (Source: Ibid)

Fig.1.X. Punisher logo plate carrier worn by one of the attackers (Source: Ibid)

From the images we see that the attackers had six knives, three handguns, and a variety of assorted accessories such as a red dot sight. Of the handguns, one is an unknown model, which may be craft produced, while two are clearly Hi-Powers which may be, or had been previously, Israeli police weapons. Similarly, the attackers gained access to an ammo container of IDF issue 5.56×45mm. Israeli police suggest as many as 1,100 round of ammunition were recovered. As we will have discussed before on Silah Report, theft of service weapons and weapons smuggling is a major issue in the country. Expect us to continue covering this in the future as well. Ultimately though, the two IS members were neutralized by other border police officers sitting at a nearby cafe. A total of six people (members of the security service) were injured with two killed, not including the attackers, there were no civilian casualties.

Stay tuned to Silah Report for more coverage of current events in the MENA region.

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Sources:

Cohen, Avi and Yaron Doron, 2022. “Border Police officers killed in Hadera terrorist attack laid to rest.”
https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/03/28/border-police-officer-killed-in-hadera-terrorist-attack-laid-to-rest/

דידי ,אלאלוף [Allalouf, Didi], 2022 “מחבלים שטופי מוח פעילי ארגון הטרור דעא”ש יצאו למסע רצחני בחדרה [Daesh terrorist operatives have embarked on a murderous campaign in Hadera]” https://www.mivzaklive.co.il/archives/540957

Fabian, Emanuel, 2022, “Two killed in the shooting attack in Hadera. Graphic video shows the beginning of the attack”, https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1508147145144254471?s=20&t=K9B7rYY6zRAT4euGJsu0xA

Title picture credit: Allalaouf 2022