HERZLIYA, ISRAEL - An elderly Holocaust survivor was stabbed to death Friday morning in Herzliya, marking yet another tragic incident amid rising tensions. Ludmila Lipovsky, 83, was fatally attacked outside the assisted living facility where she resided, just moments before her daughter was set to pick her up for a doctor’s appointment.
According to Israel Police and Magen David Adom (MDA), the incident unfolded on Kdoshei Hashoah Street. Lipovsky suffered multiple stab wounds delivered by 28-year-old Ibrahim Shalhoub, a Palestinian man from Tulkarm. Initial reports indicated he shouted "Allahu Akbar" as he engaged in the attack.
MDA paramedics who arrived at the scene recounted the horrifying sight of Lipovsky lying unconscious on the ground. One paramedic, Elon Bovaron, described how they performed CPR and provided life-saving treatment, but, unfortunately, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Ichilov Hospital.
"She was brought to the hospital with a large number of stab wounds, undergoing resuscitation, and the hospital was forced to declare her death upon her arrival," stated medical sources.
The terror attack has shocked the community and raised concerns about public safety, especially during the Hanukkah holiday season, a time typically marked by celebration and gatherings. Tel Aviv District Police Commander Haim Sargrof visited the site and expressed sorrow over the incident, stating, "This is truly a sad morning for everyone. We are deployed with the knowledge of potential such cases during this festive time."
Shalhoub, who was shot during the attack and taken to the hospital, has been described as having previously worked as an informant for the Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency. He had been involved in thwarting terrorist operations but was reportedly exposed and underwent rehabilitation after his cover was blown.
The Shin Bet announced, "The suspect was previously incarcerated and had been under administrative detention three times, the last being until June 2024." They will now be conducting investigations to understand the circumstances surrounding Shalhoub’s drastic transformation from informant to attacker.
Witnesses to the event reported hearing screams before rushing to help. A staff member at the nursing home where Lipovsky lived described the scene: “I heard screams, and when I went outside, I saw her lying on the floor. She was attacked five or six times.”
The swift actions of security guards at the nearby Israel Postal Company’s Brink's courier unit played a pivotal role in neutralizing Shalhoub. They quickly engaged with the assailant, preventing him from potentially harming others up until police arrived.
Following the attack, Police Commissioner Daniel Levy praised the response of the security forces, asserting, "This is how it should be done. We are prepared to deal with incidents like these as they arise, ensuring the safety of our citizens is our utmost priority."
Experts and officials have underscored the need for heightened vigilance and security, particularly with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, who may be seen as easy targets during such troubling times.
This story serves as yet another stark reminder of the complex socio-political tensions existing within Israel, rendering individuals at risk regardless of their age or background. Holocaust survivors like Lipovsky often embody resilience and survival, yet incidents like these disturbingly reveal vulnerabilities still present even decades after such traumatic historical events.
Various leaders and organizations have expressed their condolences and called for peace, emphasizing the senselessness of this attack. Michael Dickson of Stand With Us commented on Lipovsky’s identity as a Holocaust survivor and pointed to the tragic irony of her being killed at the hands of someone who had once aided the very security apparatus he attacked.
