According to agency news TAP, on Wednesday, the number of people killed in a gun attack on a synagogue on the island of Djerba, Tunisia, during the annual Jewish pilgrimage, has risen to five. The victims were two Jewish pilgrims and three Tunisian police guards.
As per TAP, a solitary individual from the security forces, with one in a critical state, is still receiving medical treatment in Djerba. As stated by a medical official referenced by TAP, four additional members of the security forces succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday subsequent to the attack on Tuesday. According to TAP’s cited medical official, a police guard who had been hospitalized following the attack on Tuesday also passed away from his injuries on Wednesday.
The reason for the assault was still being investigated.
The non-military casualties, relatives Aviel Haddad, 30, who possessed both Tunisian and Israeli nationality, and Benjamin Haddad, 42, who was of French origin, were recognized by both the family and the Tunisian and Israeli authorities.
The Tunisian Interior Ministry stated that four civilians were also wounded. The assailant was killed by security personnel.
In a statement, the foreign affairs ministry of France conveyed its “profound sorrow” regarding the assault.
France paid tribute to the rapid intervention of the Tunisian security forces in their continued fight against all forms of fanaticism and antisemitism in Tunisia.
According to his office, Amichai Chikli, the Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, remarked that “regrettably, the occurrence was preceded by a period of heightened tension characterized by loud outbursts and mistreatment directed towards the Jewish community at the location.”
Israel and Tunisia lack official diplomatic ties. He stated that he directed ministry authorities to offer any necessary assistance. Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, conversed with Haim Bitan, the Chief Rabbi of Tunis, and conveyed that Israel supports the community during this challenging period.
The European Jewish Congress conveyed its “surprise and indignation”.
In a declaration, Ariel Muzicant, President of the EJC, remarked, “As we are aware from numerous incidents throughout the years, including at this particular synagogue, acts of terror persistently aim at Jewish people globally, even while they are congregated in worship.”
Djerba, a picturesque island off the southern coast of Tunisia, is thought to be one of the world’s oldest synagogues, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. It reportedly hosts an annual pilgrimage at the 2,500-year-old Ghriba temple, which is considered the main Jewish community in North Africa.
The assailant, who was affiliated with the National Guard Naval and worked as a guard, killed his colleague in the port town of Aghir before heading towards the Ghriba synagogue, where the Ministry of Interior of Tunisia said he seized ammunition.
According to the ministry, he discharged his weapon at the security personnel positioned at the temple upon his arrival at the location. In response, they retaliated by shooting him, resulting in his death prior to his arrival at the entrance.
Most visitors had already departed from the site due to the fact that Former Minister of Tourism René Trabelsi described the place as nearly devoid of people. Trabelsi disclosed to Tunisian radio Mosaique FM that he was present at the Ghriba synagogue with his family members at the time of the attack.
He stated, “The gunfire was intense and the assailant attempted to gain access to the synagogue premises.” Every exit was promptly sealed off by the counterterrorism personnel, who exhibited remarkable competence. As a result, a massacre was averted.
Aviel Haddad’s sister Rona, who frequently traveled from Djerba to visit a jeweler with her brother, told Israel’s public radio station Kan that their entire family immigrated from Tunisia to Israel.
She later received the news through mutual acquaintances and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach out to him and her family in the aftermath of the attack, she recounted.
Rona Haddad stated that the family planned to inter Aviel Haddad in Israel.
Benjamin Haddad Tenoudji Cohen-Michel, a highly involved member of the local Jewish community, was widely recognized as the father of four. He held the esteemed position of president in the Israelite Consistory of Marseille, a city located in the southern region of France.
I feel horror, sorrow, and indignation on a personal level. The family is completely devastated. He informed the French media that he was known for offering bread for Shabbat and running a kosher bakery in the city center.
In 2002, a truck bombing at the entrance of the same temple claimed the lives of around 20 individuals, including Tunisians, as well as French and German tourists, who were victims of an attack orchestrated by Al-Qaida.