Shuva Malka, an 18-year-old high school student who was wounded in a terror stabbing attack in Afula last week, has expressed her gratitude to Israeli security forces and medical teams who helped save her life, and has called on the nation to pray for her.

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“Thank you to the master of the world who really did give us a huge miracle,” the teenager said, bedbound but in upbeat spirit while in HaEmek Medical Center in Afula on Sunday.

Malka was stabbed in the northern city of Afula on Monday in what security forces were initially unsure whether it was a terror attack.

Shuva Malka (Photo: Gil Nechushtan)

The following day, the Shin Bet said in a statement that the suspect, Nur Shinawi of Jenin, had confessed to this involvement in the attack and concluded that it was terror-related.

“Every second in which I am alive and strong, thank God, is not to be taken for granted at all,” said Malka, who was transferred from the intensive care unit following an improvement in her situation.

“And thank you to the security forces. We have no anger. We are sure that the security forces are capable and that the people are doing all that they can,” she said.

Shuva Malka with her mother in hospital (Photo: Gil Nechushtan)

“I feel like this stabbing was not something that is personal to me. It is against the entire people of Israel. It is a reminder that we must move forward, grow from this, work harder and move up a gear. Pray,” she urged. “The nation of Israel is strong and we have huge strength and that is what will really strengthen me.

“Thank you to everybody who has supported us, to the medical staff, to my friends and to the entire people of Israel. What a wonderful people,” she continued.

Professor Doron Kopelman, who manages the surgical ward where Malka is now recovering, described her current medical state and progress.

Shinawi and the car he tried to escape in (Photo: Tomer Mazal Tov)

“Shuva needs to recover from extremely dramatic and critical wounds. There is no threat to life greater than this,” he explained. “Fortunately for us, she is getting stronger and will be with us for a few more days. I hope that she will be able to return to her regular life shortly.”

Migdal HaEmek Mayor Eli Barda also delivered his own statement on the matter. “We are here to say thank God who saved this girl. Thank God she was saved by the parents and their actions. We are supporting the parents and are praying for Shuva,” he told journalists at the hospital.

“We must thank the security forces who acted swiftly, we must thank the hospital which treated her wonderfully and the people of Israel who are keeping the family strong. She was extremely moved by the love that she received from all the people of Israel,” he added.

Police officers arrest the terrorist

Shinawi was discharged from hospital on Thursday and was taken in for questioning.

The stabbing took place at a bus station in the northern city. Shuva managed to take a few steps before collapsing near a café in the city center.

Shinawi attempted to flee the scene in a taxi after stabbing his victim, but the driver took him back. Attempting to escape once again, this time on foot, the terrorist was shot by the police and arrested.

After the Shin Bet’s announcement that the attack was terror-related, the Israel Police outraged the Malka family by refusing to define it as such.

On Tuesday, Shuva’s parents demanded that the incident be defined as an attack by the police. “Any other reference to downplays and belittles the incident,” the girl’s mother said at the hospital.