The Israel Defense Forces overnight Tuesday destroyed the homes of terrorists Ahmed Himoni and Muhammad Masak in Hebron.
The two carried out the Oct. 1, 2024, attack at a Jaffa light rail station that left seven people dead and 15 others wounded.
Troops from the IDF’s Yehuda Brigade, alongside Yahalom combat engineers, executed the operation.
“The security forces will continue to act to thwart terror and bring justice to any terrorist who harms civilians and security forces,” the IDF stated.
Masak, 19, was killed at the scene of the attack in Jaffa by police officers, municipal security and armed civilians, who also severely wounded Himoni, 25.
Himoni was indicted on terrorism charges in November.
The charges against Himoni include seven counts of aggravated murder as a terrorist act, 12 counts of attempted murder as a terrorist act, illegal entry into Israel and jointly carrying weapons for terrorist purposes.
Murdered in the attack were Revital Bronstein, Shachar Goldman, Victor Samson Green, Jonas Krosis, Ilya Nozadze, Inbar Segev-Weigder and Nadia Sokolenco.
According to the indictment, the two terrorists had entered Israel illegally, carrying bags labeled in Hebrew to avoid suspicion. The bags contained disassembled M-16 rifles, ammunition magazines, bullets and knives.
They used a company based in eastern Jerusalem, Hamoudi Transportation Ltd., to take them to Jaffa. When they arrived at Bloomfield Stadium, they asked if there was a soccer match, as they had planned to carry out a large-scale attack in a crowded area.
A driver told them that there were no matches due to a possible Iranian missile attack that evening. The attackers later entered a mosque, assembled their weapons in the ablutions room after prayers, and warned worshippers to stay inside while they went out to carry out the attack.
Around 7 p.m., the two terrorists saw a light rail train heading toward a station at Jerusalem Boulevard and ran toward the platform. Masak opened fire on the passengers on the platform and then inside the train, while Himoni stabbed several people.
“The attackers acted with extraordinary brutality, targeting elderly individuals, women and children, ignoring their screams. Himoni reportedly stated during interrogation that he would have used an explosive device on Jews if he had one,” according to the news portal Tel Aviv Online.
Masak’s rifle then jammed and they headed into a barbershop to fix it before returning to the platform. Masak resumed shooting at the departing train while Himoni stabbed more people.
“The indictment highlights the attackers’ nationalistic motives, citing Himoni’s admission during interrogation and their deliberate targeting of defenseless civilians, including a mother shielding her infant on the train,” Tel Aviv Online reported.
Additionally, charges were filed against Hamoudi Transportation Ltd. owner Muhammad Abd al-Nabi, 31, for negligently facilitating the pair’s illegal entry into Israel. Two drivers were charged—Kazem Muzaffar, 31, and Yazan Nashashibi, 35. They face charges of reckless manslaughter, aggravated harm and facilitating the illegal transport of foreign residents.
The prosecution has requested the detention of all those charged until the end of legal proceedings, “citing the severe and calculated nature of the crimes.”