°®Âþµº

Israelis wounded in New Orleans fought in Gaza, Lebanon: report

The two Israelis injured after the attack in New Orleans are reported to be Israeli soldiers who took part in Israel's war on Gaza and Lebanon.
2 min read
Vigil held on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for victims of the terror attack [GETTY]

Two Israelis who were injured during the attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day were reportedly soldiers during Israel's wars on Gaza and Lebanon.

According to The New York Post, the pair are best friends travelling around the US for six weeks to "clear their heads" after serving in the army. They were at their second last stop before returning.

Consul Elad Shoshan confirmed the two were soldiers to the publication.

Both are reported to be "severely" injured following the attack. One is suffering from critical injuries, including head trauma, which required two "life-saving" surgeries.

The other is in stable condition after undergoing two surgeries for internal injuries and was intubated until Friday morning as a precaution.

On New Year's Day, a pickup truck drove into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans, killing at least 15 people.

Authorities said they were investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.

Palestinian-American teen Kareem Badawi was killed during the attack, being one of the youngest victims of the attack.

Police fatally shot the attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, during a firefight on Wednesday at the scene of the deadly crash on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

Federal authorities searching Jabbar's Houston home found a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials believed to have been used to make explosive devices, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the search.

Jabbar had suspected bomb-making materials at his home and reserved the vehicle used in the attack more than six weeks earlier, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the inquiry.

Jabbar purchased a cooler in Vidor, Texas, hours before the attack and gun oil from a store in Sulphur, Louisiana. He also booked his truck rental on Nov. 14, suggesting he may have been plotting the attack for more than six weeks, authorities said.

Authorities found crude bombs that had been planted in the neighborhood in an apparent attempt to cause more carnage. Two improvised explosive devices left in coolers several blocks apart were rendered safe at the scene. Other devices were determined to be nonfunctional, officials said.

Ìý