West Bank Violence
Israeli Emergency Responder Killed in West Bank Terror Attack Amid Spike in Violence, Manhunt Underway
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Key Points
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The murdered Israeli was 32-year-old Bnayahu Malat, a member of Gilad Farm's emergency response squad, who leaves behind a wife and two daughters aged 13 and 12.
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During the attack, a Palestinian seized the weapon from the emergency-response chief and fired at hikers; the IDF later said it recovered the stolen firearm after killing the terrorist.
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The incident occurred amid a spike in violence in the area, described as the third attack in roughly 24 hours, with the West Bank division placed on its highest alert since the previous day.
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Security officials and politicians reacted with calls for strong retaliation, including a statement by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urging hard measures, including potential use of air power and demolition actions against terrorists' homes.
A Palestinian attacker killed an Israeli man and wounded several others during a hiking trip near Gilad Farm in the northern West Bank on Sunday. The victim, 32-year-old Bnayahu Malat, was a member of the farm's emergency response squad and leaves behind a wife and two daughters, aged 13 and 12, according to The Telegraph.
The Israel Defense Forces said it deployed additional troops, set up roadblocks around Nablus and Tell, and launched a manhunt for the attackers after they fled the scene. The IDF later confirmed it killed one of the terrorists and recovered a stolen firearm, according to Yahoo News.
How the Attack Unfolded on the Trail
The group of Israeli hikers was confronted by armed Palestinians near Gilad Farm, west of Nablus. During the attack, a Palestinian seized the weapon from the emergency-response chief and opened fire on the group. That stolen firearm was later recovered after the IDF shot and killed the attacker, according to Yahoo News.
Malat, a first responder trained to protect people in exactly this kind of situation, was shot and killed. Medics and investigators rushed to the scene. The IDF said it placed the West Bank division on its highest alert level starting the day before the attack, The Telegraph reported.
Third Attack in 24 Hours Raises Alarm
Sunday's killing was described as the third attack in roughly 24 hours in the region. The spike in violence prompted Israel to order what it called a "forceful" military response, according to Yahoo News. Troops poured into the northern West Bank as authorities worked to secure the area and prevent further attacks.
The incident was among the deadliest single events in the West Bank in months. WDC News 6 reported that at least two Israelis and four Palestinians were killed across related clashes in the area. The broader context of violence has kept Israeli security forces on edge throughout the region.
Israeli Officials Demand Decisive Military Action
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for hard measures in response to the attack. He urged the use of air power and the demolition of the homes of those responsible. His statement reflected a broader push among right-wing Israeli politicians for stronger action in Judea and Samaria, the Israeli government's term for the West Bank.
The IDF said it was continuing to hunt for all attackers involved. Roadblocks were established around both Nablus and the town of Tell to cut off escape routes. Israel's military framed the response as part of a larger effort to restore security across the northern West Bank, according to The Telegraph.
Competing Accounts of Who Started the Violence
Israeli and Palestinian accounts of events differ sharply. Tehran Times reported that Israeli settlers and soldiers opened fire on a Palestinian village, killing four Palestinians. Democracy Now described dozens of settlers attacking the West Bank town of Tal before the shooting began. Both accounts agree that two Israelis and four Palestinians were killed across the clashes.
Israeli officials have focused on the theft of the security officer's weapon and the shooting of Malat as the central criminal acts. Palestinian sources and some international outlets have framed the broader episode as a settler raid that drew a defensive response. Investigations are ongoing, and the full sequence of events remains disputed.
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