One person was killed and five others were injured in multiple shooting attacks in central Israel near the West Bank city of Qalqilya on June 7, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The deceased was a 35-year-old Israeli man who died from gunshot wounds [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8]. Among the wounded, two were seriously injured and three sustained moderate injuries [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8].
The shootings occurred across at least three locations near the towns of Kokhav Yair, Tzur Yitzhak, and Tzur Natan, all in central Israel close to the West Bank [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7]. Emergency medical services suspended a nearby training exercise upon reports of the shootings and responded rapidly to the multiple scenes, according to Lior Zilberberg of Magen David Adom: "We immediately stopped the exercise and set out with intensive care units and ambulances to the gas station in Kochav Yair, Tzur Yitzhak, and Tzur Natan." [6]
The suspected main gunman was identified as an Israeli Arab man from Tayibe holding Israeli citizenship [1, 3, 4, 6, 8]. After a brief chase, Israeli security forces killed the main attacker near Kokhav Yair [1, 3, 4, 6, 8]. Authorities arrested a second suspect who reportedly tried to attack police; some sources suggest two suspects were killed, but this remains disputed [1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 8]. The weapon and vehicle used in the attacks were recovered by police [1, 3, 6].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the shootings, calling the attacker a "heinous terrorist," and said a security assessment was underway. He said, "This morning, a heinous terrorist went out, reached Kokhav Yair, and unfortunately managed, before being eliminated, to murder an Israeli citizen and injure others." [1, 2, 3, 6, 8] National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated, "The law on the death penalty for terrorists also applies to Israeli Arabs." [1, 8]
The Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility [2, 3, 4, 6]. Israeli soldiers were deployed to the affected areas and West Bank settlements after the violence [3, 4, 7]. Authorities imposed lockdowns and told residents and children to stay home temporarily following the shootings [4].
The attacks came amid heightened tensions after recent settler violence and the killing of a Palestinian baby in the West Bank [4]. The security situation remains closely monitored. Prime Minister Netanyahu held a security assessment shortly after the attacks on June 7 [1, 2, 3, 6, 8].
