Sergeant Omri Levy HY”D, 19, from S’dei Chemed near Kfar Saba was the soldier murdered in the Beersheva central bus station attack on Sunday evening, 5 Cheshvan.  Also killed in the attack was an Eritrean male who was shot and gravely wounded by security forces who believed he too was a terrorist. He died of his injuries in Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva during the night.

While security was increased in the bus station, metal detectors are not being used and many workers are scared to come to work, fearing another attack.

IDF officials report that Cpl. Omri Levy was promoted to the rank of Sgt. Following his death. He is survived by his mother and two siblings. The levaya details are to be announced. Neighbors explain the father of the family died three years ago of a heart attack.

The attack is still under investigation. At present it appears a lone terrorist entered the bus station in Beersheva and fired at Levy, wounding him. He grabbed the soldier’s automatic weapon and opened fire in all directions. He was shot by the station chief security officer who was quick to respond to the gunfire.

The Eritrean who was mistaken for a terrorist was shot by security troops and then he was beaten by an angry mob as the bystanders were certain he too was a terrorist. At least three policemen were among the wounded.

The terrorist was believed to have been armed with a knife and a handgun and a supply of ammunition. As he entered he opened fire at Omri, striking him, enabling the terrorist to grab his weapon. There was an exchange of gunfire as the terrorist fled towards the exit of the bus station, where he encountered additional security troops who killed him. The Eritrean was shot by a border policeman and Yassam commando.

Many persons told the news following the attack that security in the bus station was not what it should have been during the national security crisis. They explain that no one entering was checked and it was quite easy for the terrorist to enter and begin attacking. One soldier, also a resident of Beersheva, told Channel 2 News he noticed earlier in the week just how poor the security in the bus station was and how easy it would be for a terrorist to perpetrate an attack.

A local newspaper last weekend did a special report on security in the bus station and the city’s Soroka Medical Center, stating security in both was poor at best. Journalist Yaakov Sitruk wrote he did inspections and turned up at different times and days and the security was always lacking. “I arrived there with a suitcase and the guard looked at me and that was it”, explaining he was not asked to open it or questioned regarding its contents.

An attorney for the security company responsible for the central bus station already released a statement backing the performance of the company, insisting the security company was in total compliance with all demands made by police for the bus station.

Officials in Soroka Medical Center on Monday morning 6 Cheshvan reported that six victims of the attack remain hospitalized.

10:00: Police are now confirming rumors the terrorists responsible for the attack was a member of the Bedouin community, a resident of Hura. His name is Muhnad Alukabi, born in 1994.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)