Israeli Soldier Killed in Hebron Area Attack Buried

Sergeant Yuval Shi Suilem, 20, who fell in a Friday shooting attack near the Yehuda Junction close to Hebron, was laid to rest on Sunday in Hod HaSharon. Suilem, a combat soldier in the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command's Rescue Brigade, was killed alongside Staff Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Roitman, 23, from Ashkelon, who served as a squad commander in the same battalion and was buried earlier on Sunday.

Family and friends described Suilem as a pleasant, quiet, and beloved young man who always sought to help others. His company commander, Captain Or, eulogized him, stating that Suilem engaged in combat with the terrorists, returned fire, and prevented a larger attack before falling. "Yuval was a prominent and energetic soldier," the captain said. "He managed a combat fight against the terrorists while returning fire and prevented a large and significant attack, and fell in heroic combat."

Suilem's parents, Amnon and Sivan, spoke of their pain and grief. His father recounted that Yuval wanted to save his friend and that his weapon jammed. "Our child is only 20. He had many dreams, we thought he would have much more time," Amnon said, addressing security forces and the state. "Our home has fallen apart, we are not living, they took our souls. Yuval wanted to save his friend, he was hit and his weapon jammed. We will not give up and want to know how we reached this situation."

The father also called for the expulsion of the terrorists' families, stating, "We will not forget and will not be silent and hope the government and the judiciary will take this into account." He added, "If the state does not do the job, we will take matters into our own hands, this is my will to Yuval."

The attack occurred around 7:10 AM on Friday when two Palestinian terrorists arrived by car at the Yehuda Junction, exited, and opened fire on an IDF force. Suilem and Roitman were killed, and three other soldiers were wounded. The exchange of fire lasted over 20 minutes until additional forces arrived, surrounded, and eliminated the terrorists. A large amount of ammunition was found in the terrorists' vehicle, and security officials believe they were on their way to carry out a major attack against civilians, and that the soldiers' actions prevented a more severe outcome. Following the attack, the IDF launched a large-scale operation in the Hebron area. Suilem and Roitman are the first fatalities from the Ari Battalion, established in the past year. IDF forces also sealed the homes of the two terrorists overnight in preparation for demolition.