Knife stabbing attacks in the West Bank: implementing a modern response chain to an ancient foe

A recent surge in knife stabbing attacks in the West Bank, particularly affecting Jewish settlers near the contentious site of Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs, has highlighted the need for medical preparedness. Unlike past decades, where such incidents were rare, the recent wave of stabbings—often linked to political tensions and religious friction—has posed significant challenges to local medical personnel accustomed to managing trauma from protests. The study underscores the importance of adapting modern medical response protocols to address this ancient yet resurgent form of violent assault, which differs in severity and context from typical criminal or social knife wounds.

Leiba, A., Ben Ishay, O., Ossadon, H., & Frenkel, H. (2016). Knife stabbing attacks in the West Bank: implementing a modern response chain to an ancient foe. Emergency Medicine Journal, 33(4), 301–302. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2015-205655