In an alarming incident, an attacker armed with a crossbow wounded a Serbian police officer who was guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade on Saturday. The interior ministry of Serbia confirmed the incident, stating that the officer responded swiftly by shooting the assailant, resulting in the attacker's death.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic released a statement, revealing that the attacker fired a bolt at the officer, hitting him in the neck. Acting in self-defense, the officer used his weapon to neutralize the attacker, who succumbed to his injuries. The wounded policeman was transported to Belgrade's main emergency hospital, where medical professionals will perform a surgery to remove the bolt from his neck. Fortunately, the officer was conscious during transportation.

A spokesperson from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the incident, referring to it as an attempted terrorist attack near the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade. The spokesperson assured that the embassy remains closed and reassured that no embassy employee was harmed during the attack.

The identity of the assailant is still unknown, and investigations are currently in progress to determine the motive behind the attack. Interior Minister Dacic emphasized that authorities are examining all circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Israeli Embassy, situated in a prestigious neighborhood of Belgrade close to the U.S. Embassy, has always been under the protection of an elite police unit armed with automatic weapons. This incident occurred despite the robust security measures in place.

Serbia has upheld a close alliance with Israel, particularly during the war in Gaza. The incident will likely prompt authorities to further enhance security measures to ensure the safety of diplomatic missions and personnel in the country.

This attack serves as a reminder of the ongoing security threats faced by diplomatic entities worldwide and the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding diplomatic missions.