Israel has strongly condemned the deadly terror attack on New York City on Tuesday, which was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist organization.
We pray for the victims and their families. Together we will defeat this scourge.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM)
“To President [Donald] Trump, Governor [Andrew] Cuomo and Mayor [Bill] de Blasio: We stand with our friends in New York and all Americans following yet another horrible Islamist terror attack,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “We pray for the victims and their families. Together we will defeat this scourge.”
Terrible news from . Our hearts go out to families of victims. Israel condemns this attack and stands with the people of .???? https://t.co/ih2XlykTCh
— Israel Foreign Min. (@IsraelMFA)
It was the deadliest attack on the city since the Al Qaeda attack on “9/11” that destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 2001. Five people from Argentina, one from Germany, two from Belgium and two Americans were killed in that attack. A total of 16 others were wounded, including four in critical condition. Nine are still hospitalized.
Watch live as , , & update New Yorkers on yesterday’s terrorist act https://t.co/XHx8ISafFo
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews)
The suspect, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, moved with his wife and two children to Patterson, New Jersey in 2015 to be closer to his in-laws. His pregnant wife and her children have been removed from their apartment and police are searching the home for evidence. Officials are also searching the vehicle left at the Home Depot in Passaic, where last week Saipov rented the truck with which he carried out his deadly attack.
In a briefing Wednesday midday, President Donald Trump said he has initiated a move to end the visa program under which Saipov entered the country. Trump told reporters that Saipov was the point of contact for “potentially 23 other people who came in with him,” according to an initial probe by investigators. “We want to stop that,” he said. “We want to stop chain migration, and go to a merit system,” he said.
Police and FBI officials have been questioning Saipov following surgery for his gunshot wounds. He has told them he is proud of the attack, which followed “nearly to the letter, the rules of the playbook” of the Islamic State instructions for carrying out terrorist attacks. A young five-year veteran of the police force, Officer Ryan Nash, was credited with having shot and neutralized the attacker.
The New York City police department is beefing up security in preparation for this weekend’s NYC Marathon.