Israeli Leaders Condemn Deadly West Bank Terror Attack, Call for Strong Military Response

Israeli political leaders have expressed deep condolences following a deadly terror attack in the West Bank in which Benyahu Malt, a resident of the Gilead farm and a member of its security team, was killed. Malt was shot while assisting a group of hikers near his community on Friday.

Senior officials including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and President Isaac Herzog publicly mourned Malt's death and extended sympathies to his family. Sa'ar emphasized that Palestinian terrorism will not achieve its goals and affirmed Israel's commitment to strengthening its hold on the land. Kisch called for continued settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria as a response to terror attacks. President Herzog highlighted the need for unity and determination against terrorism and praised security forces for their efforts.

Knesset member Avi Maoz urged the Israel Defense Forces to launch an immediate comprehensive operation to collect weapons and decisively defeat terror throughout Judea and Samaria, warning against repeating past strategic mistakes. Minister Bezalel Smotrich also demanded an urgent shift in security policy, specifically targeting villages near the attack sites such as Tal and Iraq Burin, and Beit Furik, which he identified as terror hubs. Smotrich called for evacuating these populations to protect civilians and dismantling terror infrastructure.

The political responses underscore a consensus on the need for a robust military campaign to counter escalating violence in the West Bank following the killing of Malt, who leaves behind a wife and two daughters. The attack has intensified calls for stronger security measures and settlement growth in the region.