Heroic Actions of Fallen IDF Sergeant Benyahu Malt Revealed in Attack Footage

Newly analyzed footage from the deadly attack on Friday at the Sela Ridge, located between Mount Bracha and Havat Gilad in the West Bank, has revealed the extraordinary bravery of Sergeant Benyahu Malt, who was fatally wounded during the incident. Malt, the deputy sergeant major of Havat Gilad, was severely injured with a shattered left hand and upper body wounds but managed to rise and return fire against multiple attackers. The footage, compiled and examined by journalist Elchanan Gruner, shows Malt shooting and killing at least one assailant and wounding others before collapsing.

The attack began when dozens of Arab rioters began stoning hikers, prompting a rapid response from the IDF’s Shomron Brigade, which summoned Malt and others to the scene. Among those who fought courageously was Golani Brigade soldier Sh., who was on vacation and helped neutralize attackers trying to seize Malt’s weapon while he was wounded on the ground. Another reservist also fired at the main assailant who had disarmed Malt. The platoon commander, Captain Yuval Ezra, also charged into the fray upon noticing the weapon seizure.

Despite the chaos and multiple shooters involved, the investigation is ongoing, and ballistic analyses have yet to clarify which weapons caused specific injuries. The complexity of the event has prevented definitive conclusions so far, countering rumors that have circulated and caused distress to families.

Malt’s widow, Esther, praised her late husband as a hero both in life and death, calling for full support for soldiers to engage enemies without fear of legal repercussions. She urged the Israeli government to dismantle the nearby village of Tal, which she described as a "murderers’ village," cancel the Oslo Accords, and establish new settlements in the area where her husband died. Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan echoed these sentiments, honoring Malt’s lifelong dedication to Israel and vowing to strengthen Israeli presence in the region.

The footage and testimonies highlight the intense close-quarters combat and life-saving actions taken by soldiers and civilians alike during the attack, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the West Bank.