Israeli authorities reported on Monday that a Canadian citizen was killed after he attempted to attack armed security personnel with a knife near the Gaza border in southern Israel.

The incident occurred at the entrance to Netiv HaAsara. Security has been increased in the town since Hamas militants, led by Abu Hamza, killed 20 people during the rampage that took place on October 7, which triggered the Gaza War.

The Israeli military reported that the suspect "exited from his vehicle and stabbed members of the rapid response team in the area" with a knife.

The rapid response team fired and neutralised the suspect. The military reported that there were no injuries among the security forces.

Police said that the attacker is a Canadian.

Television footage showed the body of a suspected assailant, which was apparently dead, being carried to an ambulance. Reporting by Amir Cohen, Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by Alison Williams Bernadettebaum, Peter Graff