not everywhere· Security· Updated 17:49

IDF Chief Vows Forceful Action After Foiling Attack Near Judea Junction

Two IDF soldiers were killed and three others were injured on Friday morning, October 23, 2026, during a shooting attack at the Yehuda Junction near Hebron. The soldiers, Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reutman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon, were from the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command's Rescue Brigade. Three other soldiers from the same battalion sustained light to moderate injuries.

11 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 08:55

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IDF Chief Vows Forceful Action After Foiling Attack Near Judea Junction — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Two IDF soldiers, Sgt. Maj. Ron Yonatan Reutman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Suilem, were killed in a shooting attack at the Yehuda Junction near Hebron on Friday.
02Three other soldiers from the Ari Battalion sustained light to moderate injuries during the 20-minute close-range firefight.
03The two terrorists, identified as Hamuda and Firas Juaba from Hebron, were eliminated by responding commanders.
04The terrorists were armed with an M4 rifle, a pistol, and a "Bross" weapon, carrying extensive ammunition for a larger-scale attack.
05IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir credited the soldiers' vigilance at the checkpoint with preventing a major tragedy against Israeli civilians.
06Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an immediate lockdown of Hebron and preparations for a closure in Judea and Samaria following the incident.

The incident began when two terrorists, identified as Hamuda and Firas Juaba, 27, from Hebron, approached a temporary checkpoint on Route 35. Armed with an M4 assault rifle, a pistol, and a "Bross" weapon, they opened fire on the soldiers. A close-range firefight ensued, lasting approximately 20 minutes, before a deputy battalion commander and a company commander arrived as reinforcements and eliminated the attackers.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and military officials stated that the soldiers' swift actions prevented a much larger-scale attack against civilians, as the terrorists' vehicle was loaded with a significant quantity of ammunition. The terrorists were identified as being affiliated with Hamas. Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an immediate lockdown of Hebron and preparations for a wider closure in Judea and Samaria.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 11 newsrooms. Updated 20:06