Serbia has raised its terrorism alert after a knife attack on a police guard outside Israel’s embassy in Belgrade. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic says the officer shot the attacker and suffered a minor wound. Embassy staff were unharmed, according to Israel’s foreign ministry. Police are investigating the incident as a terrorist attack.
Serbian police are investigating a knife attack outside Israel’s embassy in Belgrade early on 28 October. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said a young man rushed at the police guard with two knives and that the officer shot him. Dacic described the attacker as a Serbian minor who had been monitored by security agencies. The minister said the officer suffered a minor facial wound, was doing well and did not need hospital treatment.[1], [2]
Dacic raised Serbia’s terrorism threat level to its highest setting, red alert. He said that meant tighter security checks and more police at sensitive sites, infrastructure and places attracting large crowds. Police were treating the incident as a terrorist attack. The minister alleged that the attacker supported the Islamic State armed group and had displayed its flag on Instagram. Those assertions about allegiance come from the Serbian authorities; the investigation was ongoing.[1], [2]
Israel’s foreign ministry said no embassy personnel were injured. The mission was closed at the time, and armed security personnel stood outside later on Wednesday. The same embassy was the site of a crossbow attack in June 2024, when a Serbian police guard was wounded. Police also fired at the assailant during that incident.[1], [2]
