Police officer shoots dead knife attacker outside Israeli embassy in Belgrade

An attacker armed with two knives wounded a policeman guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade overnight before the officer shot the assailant dead on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

The Attack

Ivica Dacic, Serbia's outgoing Interior Minister, said the minor of undetermined identity rushed at a Gendarmerie officer while shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and attacked him with two knives. The Belgrade-based Higher Public Prosecution Office stated that the black-clad individual opened the door of a guard house in front of the embassy. The person threw one knife at the officer, identified by the initials D.S., hitting him in the left cheek. The officer then used his service weapon to fire several shots, killing the attacker on the spot. Authorities qualified the policeman's action as justified and in self-defence, and an investigation remains ongoing.

Security Response

Mr. Dacic raised Serbia's security threat level to red, which is the highest level, and announced an increased police presence at key locations. This marks the second attack at the Israeli embassy in Belgrade in two years, following a June 2024 incident where an assailant shot a Serbian police officer in the neck with a crossbow.

Context

Embassy security worldwide is strictly maintained to protect diplomatic staff and foreign missions during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. Serbia has recently experienced significant political shifts, including a student-led movement toppling longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic in an election on Sunday, October 25, 2026, though the outgoing administration remains in a caretaker role.