A deadly shooting unfolded in the West Bank this morning, during which two Israelis were killed—an IDF soldier and a member of a local civil defense squad, according to The Times of Israel. In response, IDF troops conducted raids in the area and arrested two Palestinian terrorists who allegedly took part in the attack. A group of Israelis had been hiking near the village of Tell when they came under attack.
An IDF officer was killed in this morning’s gunfight in the West Bank village of Tell after a group of Israelis entered the area without coordinating with the army.
The slain officer is named as Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, a battery commander in the 282nd Artillery Regiment’s 411th Battalion, from Herzliya.
The officer was hit by gunfire after a Palestinian snatched an assault rifle from a civilian security officer amid the clash.
In all, two Israelis and four Palestinians were killed in the incident.
The IDF has also recognized the second Israeli, a civil defense squad member, as a fallen soldier.
He was named as Master Sergeant (res.) Benayahu Mellet, 32, a commander in the Jerusalem Brigade’s 8119th Battalion, from Yitzhar. At the time of his death, he was serving in the reserves as a regional defense soldier.
According to initial reports, the hiking group was first confronted and surrounded by unarmed Palestinians. When soldiers arrived, one of the Palestinians managed to seize a soldier’s weapon and opened fire on the group. Magen David Adom reported treating at least three wounded Israelis before they were transported to hospitals in critical condition.
Shin Bet Chief David Zini called on the public to allow the IDF to handle the situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also held a security assessment following the attack. Among the measures discussed were increasing the IDF’s presence in the area and expanding counterterrorism operations.
Meanwhile, U.S. strikes on Iran have continued for nearly two consecutive weeks. Yesterday, the Iranian regime rejected a new ceasefire proposal presented through Iraqi mediators. Two Iranian officials also said that a strike on Tel Aviv could be the next stage of escalation if Tehran comes under further attack. In addition, the Houthi terror group in Yemen has threatened to impose its own blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the Ezra and Mellet families as we remember the heroes who gave their lives to protect everyone in the hiking group. We also pray for the full recovery of those who were wounded.