A Palestinian terrorist stabbed at least twelve people on a bus in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, leaving four seriously wounded, including the bus driver who fought off the 23-year-old man.
The terrorist says that his attack was spurred by the Gaza War and by promises of paradise. He was shot and detained by Israeli authorities after being forced from the bus following the attack.
Hamas called the stabbing a "heroic act" and cartoons quickly emerged in Palestinian media praising the attacker for a "quality stabbing."
Israeli bus driver Herzl Biton is being celebrated for his bravery in fighting off the terrorist, according to reports in the Times of Israel.
"The driver who operated according to the instructions of the company’s security officer and security officials displayed resourcefulness, bravery, and heroism to protect the passengers, while he was seriously wounded with a deep stab wound in his chest. Dan bus drivers stand at the front every day, this is their job and they will continue to do it," said a spokesman for the Dan bus company.
Biton went into surgery following the attack. He was stabbed in the chest and sustained serious injuries to his liver.
One 8th grade student who was on the bus recounted the incident to the Times of Israel:
A passenger on the bus during the attack tells of the confusion as the attacker began slashing at the driver.
"I heard screams and I didn’t understand what was going on," he says. "Everyone ran to the rear of the bus. The terrorist was half a meter from me. The driver didn’t manage to open the doors. As soon as he did everybody ran out."
Liel Suissa, an 8th grade student on the bus, says he narrowly escaped from the attacker.
"I threw my bag at the terrorist when he got close to us to keep him away. The driver slammed on the brakes when he got close to us. The terrorist went flying and I kicked the window and the window broke and so we were able to exit. Also the driver opened the door," he says.