2 police officers killed in shooting attack
Police car patrolling Route 90 in Jordan Valley fired upon by one or more terrorists in passing vehicle; officers lose control of car, die of their wounds a short while later; investigators also looking into possibility terrorists staged flat tire, then opened fire on officers, who stopped to help. Yesha blames 'checkpoint removal policy'
Two police officers were killed after sustaining critical wounds Sunday evening in a shooting attack near the community of Massua in the Jordan Valley.
The are David Rabinovitch, 42, and Yehezkel Remzarker, 50.
Rescue teams pronounced the two dead after attempting to administer first aid. Police reports said the two were found shot in the vehicle, and were pronounced dead by a doctor.
IDF roadblock in Jordan Valley (Photo: AFP)
According to police reports one or more terrorists fired at the Israelis' car from a vehicle passing at short range, as the two officers were driving along Route 90 in the Jordan Valley at around 8 pm. As a result the driver lost control of the patrol car, which overturned.
Roadblock removed near Nablus (Photo: AP)
IDF and police forces were dispatched to the area, including Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen. The army has launched a search for the terrorists involved, and declared the area a closed military zone.
Police are also investigating claims that the terrorist or terrorists who carried out the attack staged a flat tire and then shot the officers when they stopped to offer assistance.
Nadav Ben-Ami of Massua told Ynet, "We were told two Israelis were fired upon. The road was closed 2 km from our town. We didn't hear the gunfire in Massua."
Yael Vaanunu, also a resident of the small town, said community members had not received orders to remain indoors. "We don't have orders from the security officer. Things are unclear. When you live in a place like this, you know what to do in such an incident. You lock your door and turn out the light," she said.
Earlier in the day the IDF removed two checkpoints in the Nablus area as part Israel's efforts to ease restrictions on the Palestinian population in the West Bank.
National Union Knesset member Uri Ariel said the "deadly attack was the immediate price we paid for removing the roadblocks near Nablus this morning. As members of the next government we will prevent such irresponsible acts."
Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan said "every sane person knew that the outgoing government's policy of removal of checkpoints and release of terrorists, which it imposed on the IDF until its last days, would exact a hefty price."
He added, "Unfortunately the government would not heed repeated warnings, and this is the result."
