Israeli soldier killed in terrorist attack near Kedumim
A Palestinian terrorist, who sought to infiltrate the town of Kedumim, killed an Israeli soldier on Thursday.
Shilo Amir
Magen David Adom emergency medical personnel treated the victim at the scene, some six miles west of Nablus (Shechem) in Samaria, before pronouncing him dead. Initial reports said that the victim was a member of the security forces.
He has since been named as Staff Sgt. Shilo Yosef Amir, 22, a member of the Givati Brigade from Meirav in northern Israel.
The shooting took place between the Git Junction and Mitzpe Yishai. The latter is an “outpost” of Kedumim located to the south of the main town. The terrorist, who used a “Carlo”-type submachine gun, was shot dead near Git.
In a statement claiming responsibility, Hamas’ Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades confirmed that its operative Ahmed Yassin Ghaidan, from the village of Qibya near Ramallah, was the attacker.
The missive also warned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, claiming that “the al-Qassam Brigades almost knocked on your door.” Smotrich lives in Kedumim with his wife and seven children.
Israeli authorities believe the terrorist acted alone, and the IDF Home Front Command lifted its order for residents to remain home.
“Following the report of the shooting attack near Kedumim, the security forces identified a suspicious vehicle for inspection,” an IDF spokesperson stated. “During the inspection, a terrorist who was in the vehicle opened fire at them. The forces responded by shooting back but the terrorist escaped.”
“IDF soldiers and civilian security personnel began a pursuit of the terrorist, charged, and neutralized him,” the spokesperson added.
JNS
