Car Ramming Attack Near Beit Horon Planned, Security Forces Say

Security forces believe the car ramming attack near Beit Horon, which injured the son of Israel's ambassador to the US, was a premeditated act. The assailant targeted the "Beil" checkpoint in the Binyamin region, and is thought to be a local resident of the nearby village of Beit Ur al-Tahta who was familiar with the area. The attacker is considered a lone wolf, with no known prior links to established security organizations. He used a vehicle with Israeli "yellow" license plates, allowing him to move freely and avoid suspicion. Investigations revealed the license plates were stolen from a vehicle decommissioned just four months prior. The perpetrator had not previously come to the attention of security services for extremist activity and did not possess a work permit for Israel. Following the attack, IDF soldiers and Shin Bet agents visited Beit Ur al-Tahta to question the attacker's relatives. The attack occurred on Route 443 between Beit Horon and the "Maccabim" checkpoint. Initial reports indicate the attacker drove his vehicle into a police car before hitting a soldier. The victim, Neriah Leiter, son of Ambassador Yehiel Leiter, sustained severe injuries and was transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Ambassador Leiter had previously commented on the attack after his son was critically wounded.