Israeli embassy attacked in Serbia

An attacker armed with a crossbow wounded a police officer guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade before being shot and killed in what officials have described as a “terrorist attack against Serbia.”

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic detailed the incident, explaining that the attacker approached the guardhouse multiple times, inquiring about the location of a museum. During one of these interactions, the attacker retrieved a crossbow from his bag and shot the officer, hitting him in the neck. The wounded officer then fired several shots at the attacker, who later succumbed to his injuries. The assailant's identity is still being determined.

“This is a terrorist attack against Serbia,” Dacic stated, adding that the motives are still under investigation. He also mentioned that one person was arrested near the scene, and authorities are investigating potential links to foreign terrorist groups. “There are indications that those are individuals already known to the security services,” he noted.

The injured police officer was conscious when transported to Belgrade’s main hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the arrow from his neck. Hospital officials reported that he is in stable condition post-surgery.

The Israeli embassy, situated near the U.S. embassy in an upscale Belgrade district, is guarded by an elite police unit equipped with automatic weapons.

Serbia has maintained close ties with Israel during its conflict in Gaza. Consequently, Israel-linked institutions worldwide have been on high alert for potential attacks and protests since Israel's invasion in October.

In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that the embassy in Belgrade remains closed and that no employees were injured. The statement also noted that the “circumstances of the incident are being investigated.”