IDF Officer Yuval Ezra Killed in Shooting Attack Near Gilad Farm in West Bank

It was officially confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Yuval Ezra, 27, from Herzliya, was killed in a shooting attack on Friday near Gilad Farm in the West Bank. Ezra, who served as a battery commander in the 411th Battalion of the 282nd Artillery Brigade, was critically wounded during the incident and later died at Ichilov Hospital. The Israel Defense Forces announced that his funeral will take place on Sunday at 5:00 PM in the military section of Beit Dagan cemetery.

Ezra was the second fatality in the attack, alongside Benyahu Malat, 32, a resident of Gilad Farm. Malat was a member of the local security team and responsible for agriculture at the farm. He rushed to assist a group of hikers who were attacked by terrorists in the area. During the rescue and defense efforts at the scene, Malat was shot and killed by the assailants.

The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in the West Bank, with both victims playing active roles in defense and community protection. The IDF continues to investigate the incident and maintain security in the region.