Israel's leadership vowed a swift and crushing response to the wave of terror that has reared its head this month, claiming 11 lives in two weeks, offering condolences to the victims and their families in a flurry of statements on Tuesday evening.
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Last week saw four Israelis killed in a terrorist attack and Beersheba. Two Border Police officers were murdered in an attack in Hadera on Sunday, and give Israelis were gunned down in Beni Brak on Tuesday. The first two terrorist attacks were claimed by the Islamic State, while the latter was the apparent work of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist.
"The soul is torn and the heart breaks when heinous terrorists again spill the blood of innocent people. Our steadfast spirit has overcome wars and terrorist attacks and we will again overcome our enemies' hatred," President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.
"I am confident that our security forces will carry out their mission and I call on the public to show solidarity and responsibility and allow them to operate in a swift, precise and determined manner.
"Despite our pain and anger, I ask everyone to be sensitive to the families and avoid spreading videos and [social media] posts that could exacerbate the pain of the families."
"Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that "Israel is facing a deadly wave of Arab terrorism. We will wage an unwavering fight against terrorism with an iron fist. They will not move us from here. We will win."
In a video address released later on Tuesday evening, the prime minister said that what Israel faced during the Operation Guardian of Walls in May 2021 "was a harbinger of things to come" referring to the violence in mixed Jewish and Arab cities during that conflict in the Gaza Strip.
"Israel's security forces are among the best in the world. They are prepared to face the task, and as in previous waves, this time, too, we will win."
Bennett held a security situation assessment immediately following the attack and he is expected to call a cabinet meeting later on Wednesday morning.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that security forces will use "all means at their disposal" to quell the wave of terror.
"We've been through difficult periods as a people and as a nation in the face of terror waves – and we've always won with determination and force, and will do so this time as well.
"The defense establishment – the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Israel Police – will employ all means at their disposal to restore security to Israel's streets and the sense of security to the public," he tweeted. .
To that end, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi has deployed additional forces in Judea and Samaria. Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai has raised the level of alert to the highest since Operation Guardian of the Walls, and the Border Police have also raised the level of alerts, also calling in some reserves to bolster presence on the ground.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said, "The State of Israel is strong; we will fight terrorism with force and determination. The security forces face tense days ahead of them. I offer them strength and pray that they will return home in peace."
Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel is in the midst of a dangerous wave of terror the likes of which we haven't seen in years.
"I send condolences to the families and pray for the wounded's recovery, and I offer support to security forces and first responders on the ground. We must act resolutely to restore peace and security to the citizens of Israel. "
Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich said these are "difficult days for Israel. … May we soon emerge from this terrible time and see better days."
Likud MK Shlomo Karhi said, "We must come to our senses immediately and employ every punitive and deterrent measure we have. This is not the time to heed the High Court of Justice or listen to B'Tselem [human rights group]. Jewish blood is not expendable."
Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel said, "We are in a war. These are the most difficult moments a nation can endure. What is needed now is backing for the security forces heading for an extreme period, and unity among the people. We have a common enemy – radical Islam. We have no choice but to win."
Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas denounced the attack, calling it "a heinous terrorist crime against innocent civilians. We are all facing a wave of murderous terrorism. Israeli streets include Arab and Jews and whoever goes on a killing spree does not distinguish between them.
"Ramadan, Passover and Easter are approaching. Our moral, religious and leadership duty is to initiate a process of reconciliation and partnership based on the values of faith, and universal human values that teach tolerance, peace and the sanctity of human life, and denounce hatred, crime and violence."
Ra'am, he said, "Will not be content with condemnations and messages of condolence, because terrorism does not stop and does not bow its head. We are determined to embark on the path of peace in the face of all extremists, and we are determined to do everything we can to prevent further harm to innocent civilians.
"It is impossible not to notice extremist interest groups that insist on harming the fabric of relations between Jews and Arabs in this country. We will not allow them to do that. I have committed to this. I am committed to all the citizens of this country."
Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh also condemned the attack: "Five civilians were killed today, each of them a world in their own right. They are added to the 51 Palestinians killed since the beginning of the year, each one a world in their own right. The heart is torn in the face of the bereavement and loss of all families.
"I strongly oppose any harm to civilians, Palestinians as well as Israelis, and any harm to innocent people. It is time to end the source of hatred and that is the wretched occupation, and to establish peace that will bring security and normalcy to both peoples."
A rare condemnation of the gruesome attack came from Ramallah.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who for years has remained silent over Israelis' murder by Palestinians and has said nothing about the recent terrorist attack in Beersheba and Hadera, issued a statement denouncing Tuesday's attack.
The Palestinian president "expresses his condemnation of the killing of Israeli civilians tonight, emphasizing that the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads the situation to deteriorate," Abbas' office said.
"The cycle of violence confirms that a comprehensive, just and stable peace is the shortest, most correct path to security and stability for both peoples – we all aim to realize stability."
The Gaza Strip-based Palestinian terrorist groups praise the deadly shooting attack.
"The Tel Aviv operation emphasizes the unity of the Palestinian people everywhere they live," Hamas said.
Islamic Jihad said the attack "heralds our people's operations to come deep inside the [Zionist] entity."
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