The Israel Police Force has organized a man-hunt, in search of an Arab from the northern region suspected of murdering a British tourist and injuring a second. The two had hitched a ride to Eilat in the suspect’s car.
The police are investigating possible motives for the murder; it is not yet clear whether the motive was nationalistic or criminal.
The murdered tourist was Max Hunter, 22, from England. His companion, Charlotte Gibb, 20, is being treated at the Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva. Her injuries are described as "light to moderate", after she was examined for three gunshot wounds: in her left arm, face and hand.
Charlotte Gibb arrived at the hospital fully conscious and was questioned by police. She said she had been dozing off in the back seat of the car when she suddenly heard an argument between the driver and her friend, after which the driver shot first her friend, and then her. He then threw them out of the car. Passerby soldiers, who sighted the pair at the side of the road, called the police and the emergency medical service.
Since receiving reports of the murder, the police has deployed large forces over the area. Police roadblocks have been set up in the region, which is also being searched on land and by helicopter. The police are also looking into the possibility that the driver escaped over the border to Taba, Egypt.