Israeli medics say 3 people killed in stabbing near Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM — Israeli doctors say at least three people were killed in a knife attack near Tel Aviv on Thursday night.

Police said they suspected it was a militant attack and the attacker fled in a vehicle. Security forces erected roadblocks in the area around which the killings took place, in the town of Elad, and a helicopter could be seen hovering over the area.

The Magen David Adom emergency service said three people were killed and four others injured. two of the injured were in serious condition.

Israel celebrated its Independence Day on Thursday, a festive national holiday when people typically have barbecues and watch air shows.

The identity of the attacker was not yet known. But Israeli-Palestinian tensions have skyrocketed in recent weeks, following a series of attacks in Israel, military operations in the occupied West Bank and violence at an important Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Muslims.