An off-duty Israeli soldier was killed in a terror attack at a shopping mall Wednesday morning.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed 19-year-old Sgt. Aleksandr Iakiminskyi succumbed to his stab wounds after fatally shooting his assailant, Jawwad Omar Rubia, in Karmiel, Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
Rubia, an Israeli citizen from the Arab town of Nahf, seriously wounded another soldier during the attack.
גיבור ישראל 💔🇮🇱
— אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) July 3, 2024
סמל אלכסנדר יקימינסקי, בן 19, מגדוד 71 בחטיבה 188, נהרג היום לאחר שחיסל את המחבל הנתעב בפיגוע בכרמיאל. במעשיו ההרואיים אלכסנדר הציל חיים רבים ומנע את הימלטות המחבל.
אני שולח תנחומים וחיזוקים ומשתתף בצערם הכבד של משפחתו.
יהי זכרו ברוך. pic.twitter.com/7lVqLiN2QQ
Both soldiers were in uniform.
Iakiminskyi, of Nahariya, was a truck driver in the 188th Armored Brigade's 71st Battalion, the outlet reported.
Israeli politician Avigdor Liberman sent his condolences to the victim's family in a statement on X.
"With his heroic actions, Alexander saved many lives and prevented the escape of the terrorist," wrote Liberman. "I send my condolences and encouragement and share in his family's deep sorrow. Of blessed memory."
