IDF Chief of Staff Praises Soldiers Who Thwarted Larger Attack

Following a shooting attack at the Etzion Junction, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the swift actions of soldiers prevented a more severe incident. Zamir confirmed that the two terrorists were eliminated by a deputy battalion commander and a company commander who responded to the scene. During a situation assessment, it was revealed that a large quantity of ammunition was found in the terrorists' vehicle, indicating they were prepared for a larger-scale attack. Zamir emphasized that the soldiers' rapid response averted greater harm to civilians and security forces.

In response to the attack, the IDF is preparing to impose a full closure on Hebron and surrounding villages. Alongside movement restrictions, efforts to conduct further arrests in the area will be intensified. The Chief of Staff also ordered increased arrest operations and intelligence gathering in the region, with additional forces potentially deployed to the Central Command as needed.

The situation assessment included the commander of the Central Command, the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of the Intelligence Directorate, and other commanders. Subsequently, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a meeting with the Defense Minister, the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, the National Security Advisor, and the commander of the Central Command.

Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the "heroic soldiers" for their decisive actions in preventing a larger attack and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He ordered the IDF and security forces to immediately impose a closure on Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria starting immediately. Netanyahu vowed that Israeli forces are operating with increased capacity to thwart terrorism, conducting widespread arrests, and will pursue Hamas terrorists and their handlers "anywhere and anytime."