Father of Six Killed in West Bank Terror Attack; Hamas Operative Captured

A father of six, Natanel Shokrun, was killed in a terror attack in the Binyamin region on Sunday, September 20. He was found unconscious in his vehicle near the Ein Riyha spring, close to the settlement of Neve Tzuf, and later pronounced dead at Beilinson Hospital. His son, who was with him in the car, was unharmed.

The assailant, identified as 37-year-old Hamas operative Qadri Samara from the village of Biddu near Ramallah, was wounded by an Israeli sniper but managed to escape. He was later apprehended at a hospital in Ramallah by special forces, following intelligence from the Shin Bet. The IDF stated that Duvdevan unit soldiers, in coordination with the Shin Bet, detained the terrorist. Security officials believe Samara acted alone in both the attack and his escape, and had scouted the location beforehand.

In response, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered the demolition of the terrorist's home and continued searches for potential accomplices. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the death penalty for the attacker, citing a law passed by his party. Preliminary investigations indicate the terrorist arrived by car, opened fire, and then fled on foot. The military deployed special forces, including the Duvdevan unit, and the air force to the area, establishing roadblocks due to fears the armed terrorist might strike again.

Shortly after this incident, soldiers from the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade neutralized another terrorist attempting a car-ramming attack near the Ganim settlement in the Menashe brigade's area of responsibility. A second terrorist in that vehicle was apprehended. No Israeli soldiers were injured in this second incident.

Leaders from the Binyamin and Samaria regional councils emphasized resilience and vowed not to be driven from the area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the family and vowed that "no terrorist will remain unpunished." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also praised the forces for neutralizing the second terrorist and preventing another attack.

The attack occurred amid heightened IDF readiness in Judea and Samaria, implemented before the High Holy Days. Recent operations in the region have involved building searches, suspect interrogations, and the seizure of weapons. The IDF has increased its troop presence, including armored vehicles, along roads and in sensitive areas to ensure security during the upcoming Sukkot holiday, when thousands of tourists are expected.