Car Ramming Attack Near Benjamin Settlement; One Lightly Wounded, Manhunt Underway

Israeli security forces launched an extensive manhunt Thursday evening for a Palestinian terrorist who rammed a vehicle near the settlement of Ataret in the Benjamin region, lightly wounding one person. The victim received initial medical treatment at the scene. Initial reports indicate the attacker fled after the ramming. Large contingents of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Judea and Samaria Police pursued the suspect, setting up roadblocks in the area to apprehend him. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks and attempted attacks in the Benjamin region in recent months. Two weeks prior, a fatal shooting attack occurred near the settlement of Neve Tzuf, resulting in the death of Netanel Shkaron, a father of six. In that incident, an IDF tracker in a protected vehicle responded to the gunfire, neutralizing the attacker and potentially preventing further casualties. The terrorist, identified as Qadri Samara, managed to reach Ramallah despite his injuries, but was later apprehended by Duvdevan unit soldiers in a clinic, where he was found wounded in bed. Earlier in the month, an attempted attack at Hanania Farm in the Benjamin sector saw a Palestinian armed with a knife and lighter set fire to an Israeli vehicle and threaten residents. Local residents intervened, hitting the attacker with their vehicle and neutralizing the threat without any Israeli casualties. The ongoing security tensions in Judea and Samaria were highlighted by these events, underscoring the need for constant vigilance from both security forces and residents. In September alone, the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated 70 Hamas terrorists, including three senior commanders.