A harrowing episode unfolded on the streets of Beijing involving an Israeli diplomat being brutally attacked in broad daylight.
Attack on Israeli diplomat working in Beijing caught on camera
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The sequence of terrifying events transpired on a sidewalk in Beijing, China, on Friday, where an Israeli Embassy worker was confronted and stabbed by a knife-wielding assailant.
The footage, sourced by the South China Morning Post, depicts a relentless assault on the Israeli diplomat, who is seen desperately trying to ward off the aggressor.
Despite his efforts, the assailant manages to land multiple stabs, one of which penetrates the diplomat’s chest, evoking a cry of “Why, Why?” from the victim.
The diplomat, later identified as Israel’s Ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba, faced this life-threatening ordeal amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A statement condemning the attack was issued by the US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, who conveyed shock over the incident and extended full support to the Israeli Embassy and its community in China.
“We are shocked by today’s attack on an Israeli diplomat in Beijing. I spoke with Israel’s ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba, and offered our full support to the Israel’s embassy and the Israeli community in China,” Burns wrote.
Tensions palpable as Hamas call for ‘Day of Jihad’
This violent attack comes in the wake of a global ‘Day of Jihad’ proclamation by Hamas’ ex-leader, Khaled Meshaal, urging Muslims worldwide to express solidarity with Palestinians in their battle against Israel.
“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” he rallied.
Meshaal’s message, directed at nations neighbouring Israel, emphasised their integral role in supporting the Palestinian cause.
“Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan… This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility,” Meshaal called.
The repercussions of this conflict are not only confined to the Middle East but are reverberating on a global scale, as demonstrated by the incident in Beijing.
Israel, on its part, has intensified its military response following attacks from Hamas, with fighter jets targeting over 200 locations in Gaza City and contemplating a ground offensive.
The ongoing strife has culminated in a tragic loss of lives, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting at least 950 fatalities and 5,000 injuries.
“To all scholars who teach jihad… to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories),” Meshaal exclaimed.