A knife-wielding assailant was shot dead by a police officer early Wednesday after attacking a security guard outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, Serbian authorities confirmed.
The interior minister, Ivica Dacic, stated the incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack, prompting Serbia to raise its national terror threat level to the highest category. The officer sustained a minor facial injury but was reported in stable condition.
Immediate Response & Core Facts
- The assailant, described as a minor, approached the embassy’s security booth shortly after midnight, shouting “Allahu Akbar” while brandishing two knives, according to Dacic and prosecutors.
- The officer, identified as D.S., fired multiple rounds in self-defense, killing the attacker on the scene. Prosecutors noted the officer was struck by a thrown knife but remained conscious.
- Serbian police cordoned off the area, deploying armed tactical units. The Israeli Embassy confirmed it was closed at the time and no diplomatic staff were injured.
Deeper Dive & Context
Security Measures & Threat Assessment
- Dacic announced the terror threat level was elevated to “red alert”, the highest tier, mandating increased security at critical infrastructure and crowded locations across Serbia.
- Authorities stated the assailant was under surveillance prior to the attack and had posted an Islamic State (ISIS) flag on his Instagram account, per Dacic’s remarks.
- The attacker was reportedly from Šabac, a town in western Serbia, and was identified as a supporter of ISIS by security services.
Political & Historical Context
- The incident occurred one day after Israel’s parliamentary election, which exit polls suggested produced no clear majority in the Knesset. Final results remained pending as vote counting continued.
- In Serbia, the attack followed a contentious early parliamentary election on Sunday, where a youth-led opposition movement unseated long-ruling former President Aleksandar Vučić after years of protests. Vučić’s allies, however, retain control of the police pending the formation of a new government.
- This marks the second attack on the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade in under two years. In June 2024, a man shot a police officer with a crossbow before being killed by a guard.
Investigation & Ongoing Actions
- Serbian prosecutors stated the assailant opened the embassy’s security booth door around 12:15 a.m. local time, threw a knife at the officer, and was fatally shot during the confrontation.
- The injured officer was visited by Dacic and Police Director Gen. Dragan Vasiljevic, who reported the officer was expected to be discharged later the same day.
- Israel’s foreign ministry issued a statement confirming the attempted attack and noted the embassy’s closure during the incident.
Key Details Summary
- Location: Israeli Embassy, Belgrade, Serbia
- Time: Shortly after midnight, Wednesday
- Assailant: Unidentified minor, Serbian citizen, suspected ISIS supporter
- Injuries: Officer sustained minor facial wound; assailant killed
- Security Response: Threat level raised to “red alert”; increased police presence nationwide