Man Critically Wounded in West Bank Shooting Attack; Manhunt Underway

A man in his 30s was critically injured in a shooting attack near the settlement of Neve Tzuf in the Benjamin region on Wednesday afternoon, hours before Yom Kippur. Security forces launched a manhunt for the assailant, who fled the scene in a vehicle. The IDF stated that numerous forces were dispatched to the area and were blocking routes as part of the pursuit. Magen David Adom emergency services reported receiving the initial call at 11:29 AM, with paramedics providing immediate medical treatment to the unconscious victim.

The attack occurred amid heightened alert levels in Judea and Samaria, which began before the High Holidays. The IDF has recently intensified its operations in the region, with forces from the Nahal Brigade reportedly searching over 1,200 sites and uncovering a bomb-making laboratory. Armored personnel carriers, including advanced Namer vehicles, have been observed in the area, particularly near Nablus, indicating an increased operational presence in volatile zones.

According to the IDF, these operations in Judea and Samaria have led to the questioning of approximately 930 suspects and the arrest of about 230 individuals. Over 100 weapons, including M-16 rifles, submachine guns, pistols, and large quantities of ammunition, have been confiscated. The military presence has been bolstered with additional forces along roads and at friction points to ensure the safety of thousands of expected travelers visiting tourist sites and settlements during the upcoming Sukkot and Simchat Torah holidays.