Gun Attack Near Hebron Leaves Five Wounded, Two Critically; Attackers Eliminated

Two Palestinian assailants opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli military post near the settlement of Telem in the Hebron Hills, located on Route 35. Six people were injured in the attack: two critically, one moderately, and two lightly. The two attackers were killed at the scene by Israeli forces. The Israeli military estimates the assailants were en route to carry out a larger-scale attack, and that the soldiers' actions prevented a more severe incident. Following the attack, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir held a situation assessment with senior military officials. During the assessment, it was revealed that two officers, the deputy commander of the Ari Battalion and the company commander, quickly arrived at the scene and eliminated the terrorists. Zamir approved the Central Command's plan to impose a full closure on Hebron and surrounding villages, along with increased arrests and intelligence efforts. The military also discovered a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers' vehicle, intended for a widespread attack. "The swift action of the soldiers prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces," Zamir stated, also ordering reinforcements for the Central Command as needed. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir commented that the "difficult attack is a bloody, difficult, and painful reminder of the price of misconception." He asserted that Israel must not wait for another "October 7th" in the West Bank, calling for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, its disarmament, and the complete elimination of terror infrastructure, stating, "The blood of our soldiers is not for nothing."