Benyahu Malat Warned of Terror Threat Years Before Fatal Shooting Near Gilead Farm

Benyahu Malat, who was killed in a shooting attack near the Gilead Farm settlement in the West Bank on Friday, had previously prevented a major terror attack by alerting security forces to a suspicious individual. About five years ago, Malat noticed a man dressed in IDF uniform near the Eli junction whose appearance and behavior raised his suspicions. He followed the man while maintaining contact with emergency services until soldiers arrived and arrested the suspect, who was found carrying a hunting rifle, knife, pepper spray, and multiple military berets. Military officials later credited Malat's vigilance with preventing a "mega attack."

Malat, a resident of Gilead Farm and a member of the local security team responsible for agriculture, urged the public to remain alert and not rely solely on security forces, emphasizing that many attacks were thwarted by attentive civilians. On the day of his death, Malat was killed while assisting a group of hikers who were attacked in the area. The Gilead Farm community expressed deep sorrow, and the Samaria Regional Council head, Yossi Dagan, mourned Malat as a devoted family man and passionate supporter of Israel. The community pledged support to Malat's family following the tragedy.