Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in West Bank Attack Buried

Sergeant First Class Ron Jonathan Reitman, who fell in a Friday shooting attack near Hebron, was laid to rest Sunday at the military cemetery in Ashkelon. Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilam, also killed in the attack, was buried at 2:00 PM in the Hod Hasharon military cemetery. Hundreds of Ashkelon residents and youths paid their respects to Reitman, lining the road to the cemetery with Israeli flags. Reitman's brother eulogized him, describing him as his best friend and "the other half" of his life. Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam mourned Reitman, a 23-year-old combat soldier in the Home Front Command's Rescue Brigade, noting he left behind grieving parents and siblings. The Ashkelon municipality pledged full support to the family. Hod Hasharon Mayor Amir Kochavi eulogized Suilam, 20, also a combat soldier in the same brigade, expressing the city's sorrow and solidarity with his parents and siblings. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Reitman, Suilam, and their comrades "stood with supreme heroism" against the attackers, preventing a larger massacre and saving lives. He also wished a speedy recovery to three soldiers wounded in the incident. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot expressed condolences to the families and affirmed national support for them and the security forces. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reported that the soldiers' swift action prevented a more severe attack, and that a large quantity of ammunition was found in the terrorists' vehicle, intended for a larger-scale attack. The battalion commander, identified as Lt. Col. L., stated that his soldiers acted professionally and decisively to neutralize the threat, preventing civilian casualties. The two terrorists, identified with Hamas, departed Hebron on Friday morning in a vehicle with Israeli license plates, reportedly planning a larger attack. They were intercepted by soldiers near a junkyard close to the junction, initiating a roughly 20-minute firefight. The terrorists were eliminated by the deputy battalion commander and a company commander. In response, security forces launched an overnight operation in the Hebron area, searching for and neutralizing terror infrastructure and interrogating suspects. The operation is expected to continue for several days.