JERUSALEM, (Reuters) – Israeli security forces conducted a huge manhunt for two Palestinians accused of attacking three Israeli citizens in an attack that took place in central Israel.

This attack, which occurred on Israel’s Independence Day night, was the latest of an upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, raising fears about a relapse to wider conflict.

After the Elad attack, Naftali Bennett, Israeli Prime Minister, stated that “we will get our hands onto the terrorists, and their supporting environment, and they’ll pay the price.”

Witnesses, emergency workers and others reported that attackers used axes. The medics also reported that four more people sustained serious injuries.

Two Palestinians were attacked in Jenin, an area within the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Police said that they fled the scene likely driving a car. Police put up roadblocks. They also deployed a helicopter to help them find their suspects.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz extended the West Bank and Gaza closure, in place before Sunday’s national holiday, to stop Palestinians from entering Israel.

Antony Blinken (US Secretary of State) condemned on Thursday the “horrific attack against innocent men or women.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abdullah also condemned the attack, saying that the killing of Palestinians and Israeli civilians “will only lead to greater deterioration”, the Palestinian news agency WAFA stated.

Palestinians and members from Israel’s Arab minority have murdered 18 people since March in an attack in Israel and West Bank, which has mostly been civilians.

Israel has responded to the violence by conducting raids on Palestinian villages and towns. This often led to clashes that have seen the Israeli force kill at least 40 Palestinians since the beginning.

These casualties include militant armed personnel, as well as lone attackers and innocent bystanders.

Hamas (the Islamist Palestinian organization that manages Gaza) praised Elad’s stabbing, but didn’t claim any responsibility. According to Hamas, the Elad stabbing was an Israeli response to Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The compound is one of the most important sites in the Israeli-Palestinian war. It has been the scene of numerous clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians over the last month.

Jordan and the Palestinians, who are the custodians of the holy site, claim Israel is not doing enough to enforce the long-standing ban against non-Muslim prayer at the compound. Israel refutes this accusation. The compound is Judaism’s holiest site and the vestige of two ancient Jewish temples.

In 1967, Israel captured East Jerusalem and Gaza from Israel. The Palestinians want these areas for their future state.