Serbian Police Shoot Attacker Outside Israeli Embassy in Belgrade

Serbian police shot and killed an attacker outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred shortly after midnight when the attacker, a minor whose identity is still unknown, allegedly attacked a police officer with two knives while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar,’ according to the outgoing Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.

The police officer defended himself and shot the attacker, but suffered a minor knife wound to the face during the confrontation. Following the attack, Dacic announced that the terrorism threat level in Serbia had been raised to its highest level, known as ‘red alert.’

Security services had been monitoring the attacker, who was reportedly a supporter of the Islamic State and believed to be from the western city of Sabac. Dacic mentioned that the attacker’s social media profile featured the Islamic State emblem.

In response to the attack, police presence around sensitive sites, including the embassy and areas with large crowds, has been increased. Journalists from AFP observed heavily armed special police guarding the embassy following the incident.

Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that no embassy staff were injured and stated that they are investigating the attack. While such incidents are rare in Serbia, the Israeli embassy has faced threats before. In June 2024, an attacker with a crossbow wounded a police officer at the embassy before being shot dead by police.