Hamas Praises Deadly West Bank Attack as Response to Netanyahu

The terrorist organization Hamas has issued a statement praising a fatal shooting attack near the Israeli settlement of Halmish in the Benjamin region, which resulted in the death of an Israeli man. Hamas described the attack as a "response to the actions of Netanyahu," specifically citing his activities around the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The group claimed the shooting was a reaction to Netanyahu's statements and his actions in tunnels beneath the mosque, which Hamas deemed provocative. However, Hamas did not explicitly state that the attacker acted on their orders or was a member of the organization, and there is no independent confirmation of Hamas's involvement in planning the attack.

The incident occurred when an armed assailant opened fire on an Israeli man driving near Neve Tzuf (Halmish). The victim sustained critical injuries, and despite resuscitation efforts by Magen David Adom medics, he later died. It was later revealed that the attack took place near a water source where Jews had gathered for ritual immersion before Yom Kippur. A nearby soldier returned fire, causing the attacker to flee, an intervention that potentially prevented further casualties among other individuals in the area.

Following the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale search operation for the assailant, deploying air support, additional ready units, and the Duvdevan special forces. Palestinian sources reported that security forces conducted raids in the villages of Abu Falah and Kafr Malek, northeast of Ramallah, and a curfew was reportedly imposed in Ramallah and surrounding areas. Road 465 was closed in both directions between Bir Zeit and the Abu Dis bypass road.