Palestinian Gunman Kills Israeli Near West Bank Settlement, Captured in Ramallah Hospital

A 50-year-old resident of the Samaria region was killed in a shooting attack near the Ein Ri'a spring close to the settlement of Neve Tzuf in the Benjamin region. The victim's son, who was in the car, was unharmed. The attack occurred as the victim went to immerse himself in the spring ahead of Yom Kippur.

Security forces launched a manhunt for the assailant, who fled the scene wounded after a soldier fired at him. After a three-hour pursuit involving drones and Air Force assets, the terrorist was apprehended by the Duvdevan Unit in a hospital in Ramallah. He had apparently sought refuge there after being injured.

Following the shooting, the victim was found unconscious inside his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics provided initial treatment and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The attacker reportedly arrived in a vehicle, opened fire on the spring, and then fled on foot, armed.

IDF Commander of the Central Command, Major General Avi Blout, stated that all security forces are determined to apprehend or eliminate the attacker and anyone who assisted him, adding, "We know where the terrorist is, and it is only a matter of time until we capture him."

Local leaders condemned the attack. Head of the Benjamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Israel Gantz, emphasized the community's resilience, stating, "No one will drive us from here." Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, called for increased security operations within Palestinian villages, the collection of illegal weapons, the dismantling of terror infrastructure, and a return to security checkpoints, urging a shift from defense to offense to restore deterrence and security.

Separately, in the northern Samaria region, security forces thwarted an attempted ramming attack on two soldiers, killing one assailant and apprehending another. No soldiers were injured in that incident.