One killed , two wounded , after Palestinian steals gun , shoots hikers

What Happened

On Friday morning, a Palestinian attacker stole a firearm from the chief of Gilad Farm's emergency response squad and opened fire on Israeli hikers near the settlement southwest of Nablus in the West Bank. The attack killed 32-year-old Benayahu Melet, a member of the emergency response squad, and seriously wounded two others; two additional Israelis sustained light injuries. Magen David Adom paramedics treated the wounded, evacuating two to Sourasky Medical Center's Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, one in critical condition. The IDF conducted a manhunt and killed the attacker, recovering the stolen weapon. The incident was the third terror attack in the West Bank within 24 hours, following two stabbings on Thursday. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir held a meeting to discuss responses. IDF Chief Zamir ordered reinforcements—including a company from the Nahal Brigade's Reconnaissance Battalion, two companies from the General Staff's Infantry Regiment, and two companies from the Commando Training School—and directed a broad operational campaign focusing on arrests and operations in Nablus and the wider Samaria region. Settler violence was reported later when a masked group ran toward the village of Jit, and Israeli officials warned of potential nationalist crime against Palestinians.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The attack and the leadership's response, including calls for harsh reprisals akin to Gaza, could trigger a spiral of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly around Nablus. The IDF's reinforcement and planned campaign signal a potential escalation in an already tense area.

Watch For

Monitor for the launch of the IDF's broad operational campaign in the West Bank, especially around Nablus, including arrests and operations in friction points. Watch for potential settler retaliation, including nationalist crime, following the attack. Statements from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority could further shape dynamics. The reinforcement units named indicate a significant military footprint.