Crossbow shooter attacks Israeli embassy in Belgrade
Armed with a crossbow, a man attacks the security personnel of the Israeli embassy in Belgrade. An unidentified assailant shoots a Serbian embassy guard with an arrow to the neck and is subsequently shot and killed by the guard. Serbia's President Vucic speaks of a terrorist attack.
An unidentified attacker shot a Serbian embassy guard of the Israeli embassy in Belgrade with a crossbow. The guard, reportedly hit in the neck by the arrow, retaliated with his firearm and fatally wounded the attacker, reported the state television RTS, citing the prosecutor's office. The Serbian gendarme was operated on in the hospital, his condition was stable, according to the report.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic labeled the attack as a terrorist act. Several suspects, who could be linked to the incident, have been arrested, Dacic said. There are indications that they were known to the security forces and belonged to the extremist Islamic stream of the Wahhabis. This has not been confirmed yet.
Both Serbian President Milos Vucic and the Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the "despicable terrorist attack" in the strongest terms. "Serbia is capable of responding decisively to the threat of terrorism," Vucic said, according to RTS. The Israeli Foreign Ministry also spoke of a terrorist act. Embassy personnel were not injured, the embassy was temporarily closed.
The attacker died from the injuries inflicted by the guard's firearm. The guard acted in self-defense, according to the prosecutor. The identity of the attacker and the details of the attack are still the subject of investigation. The arrow from the crossbow was surgically removed from the guard's body in the hospital, reported RTS, citing hospital doctors.
Security measures for Israeli and Jewish institutions have been significantly strengthened worldwide due to fears of attacks and violent protests following the Gaza War. Serbia has maintained its close relations with Israel during the Gaza War.
The attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgrade was labeled as a terrorist act by the Serbian Interior Minister. This incident comes at a time when security measures for Israeli and Jewish institutions have been increased globally due to concerns about terrorism and violent protests. Sadly, Belgrade has now joined the list of cities that have been targeted by terrorists.
