Full Breakdown
Shooting Spree in Central Israel Leaves One Dead, Five Wounded
6/10/2026, 12:36:25 AM
Central Israel Shooting Spree Claims One Dead, Five Wounded
On Sunday, 7 June 2026, a gunman opened fire at a gas station in Kochav Yair and subsequently at Tzur Yitzhak and near Tzur Natan. Emergency services recorded one fatality – Master Sergeant (Res.) Haim Kalomiti, 55, a reservist from Tzur Natan – and five injured civilians, two of them in serious condition. Police neutralized the shooter and later arrested a second suspect who attempted to stab officers with a glass bottle.
Context of West Bank Tensions
The attack came during a surge of violence along the Israeli-West Bank barrier after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas assault, the Gaza war, and recent settler-related incidents, including the shooting of a Palestinian infant nearby.
Key Actors
Police identified the gunman as Omar Yassin, a 21-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel from Tayibe, who used an improvised “Carlo” submachine gun and a vehicle with Israeli plates. The arrested accomplice, from Tayibe, was taken into custody after the bottle-stabbing attempt.
Official Responses
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised rapid-response teams; Defense Minister Israel Katz commended Kalomiti’s “courageous” engagement. Police Commissioner Daniel Levy called the episode a “killing spree.” The IDF announced closures of nearby Palestinian villages and raids in Tayibe. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged “profound change” among Israeli Arabs and a crackdown on illegal weapons. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video urging enforcement of the death-penalty law for terrorists.
Criticism & Opposition
Ben-Gvir’s video drew condemnation from other Israeli leaders, who warned it could inflame communal tensions ahead of elections. Regional council head Oshrit Gani Gonen noted that security forces had expected cross-border attacks, not assaults by Israeli citizens.
On-the-Ground Account
MDA paramedic Lior Zilberberg said a large training exercise was halted as ambulances rushed to the three scenes. Residents were ordered indoors and schools locked down for three hours.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on the victim’s age – some cite a 35-year-old man, while the IDF identifies Kalomiti as 55. Initial reports mentioned six injured; later updates listed five. Early statements suggested a lone shooter, but police later confirmed a second suspect.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I praise the rapid-response teams that acted immediately against the terrorists,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
- “Those who accept the state’s sovereignty will live here in peace. Those who choose the path of terror bear responsibility for their own fate.” — Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister
- “If the terrorist is caught alive he will be executed. This is the law and we will demand its implementation,” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister
- “We were in a large training exercise in a nearby community when we received reports … about gunshot casualties at several scenes close to us. 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,” — Lior Zilberberg, MDA paramedic
Outlook
Security forces continue raids in Tayibe and surrounding villages, while Israeli officials say the incident will shape discussions on the death-penalty law and security measures along the Green Line.
