IDF, Israel Police raise alert level after Jerusalem synagogue massacre

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has ordered the reinforcement of troops in Judea and Samaria in preparation for a possible escalation in the wake of the deadly Palestinian terrorist attack on Friday night in Jerusalem.

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai similarly ordered the alert level raised to the highest level in the capital after seven people were killed in a shooting attack at a synagogue in the northern Neve Ya’akov neighborhood.

“This is one of the most heinous terrorist attacks that we have seen in recent years, and a significant rise in the level of terror,” said Israel Police International Spokesman Dean Elsdunne.

The moves were announced after a security assessment led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the scene of the attack.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the wounded and dead. We have assessed the situation and decided on some immediate actions. We will act decisively,” said Netanyahu.

“The Security Cabinet will convene tomorrow after Shabbat is over. I call on citizens not to take the law into their own hands; for this we have the army and police that receive instructions from the government,” added the premier.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant cut short his personal trip to the United States to return to Israel and likewise convened a meeting with the heads of national security services.

“This is a serious and sad attack on Shabbat evening, targeting civilians. I am sending condolences to the families of the murdered and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said. “The security establishment under my leadership will act hard and without compromise against terrorism and will reach all those involved in the attack.”