Two guests stabbed at hotel in Jerusalem Hills; employee accused of attack shouting 'Allahu akbar'

Two hotel guests were stabbed Friday in the dining room of a hotel at Kibbutz Tzuba in the Jerusalem Hills, leaving a 60-year-old Israeli man severely wounded and a 23-year-old man with injuries, Israeli media reported.

Emergency services evacuated both victims to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for treatment. An eyewitness and local reports said the assailant shouted "Allahu akbar" as he attacked diners.

Police and media identified the suspect as a 42-year-old resident of the Shuafat neighborhood of East Jerusalem who had been employed at the hotel for about four months. Local outlets reported the man had a criminal record, including prior convictions for stone-throwing offenses.

Officials said an off-duty officer from the Southern District who was staying at the hotel and other hotel staff restrained the attacker. Witnesses gave differing accounts of who stopped the assailant: one guest quoted by Arutz Sheva said the dining-room manager, described as an Arab employee, intercepted the attacker and prevented him from reaching other diners.

The incident unfolded in the dining area, according to eyewitnesses who described a sudden commotion as the attacker began slashing at patrons. Medical personnel at the scene provided care before the victims were transported to the hospital.

Local media characterized the episode as a terror attack. Israeli authorities have not released a full official statement on motive, and investigations by law enforcement were reported to be ongoing.

The hotel is located in a community in the Jerusalem Hills that hosts visitors for tourism and religious retreats. Attacks carried out by individuals linked to nationalist or religious motives have increased security concerns in and around Jerusalem in recent years, prompting heightened vigilance at public venues.

Additional details, including the current condition of the victims and any formal charges against the suspect, were not immediately available. Israeli police and hospital officials had not provided fuller public comment at the time of the reports.

This is a developing story and further information may be released by authorities as investigations continue.