An IDF soldier was killed on Wednesday morning, when a truck rammed into him near Beit El, on Route 60.
IDF soldiers and an armed civilian neutralized the terrorist.
The IDF confirmed: "Initial report - a report was received regarding a ramming attack adjacent to the Giv'at Asaf junction. The terrorist was neutralized at the scene."
"IDF soldiers are setting up roadblocks in the area."
Following the initial report, the IDF stated: "A terrorist driving a Palestinian truck in the area of the Giv'at Asaf Junction accelerated toward forces conducting operational activity in the area."
The neutralized terrorist was evacuated in serious condition to Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Later in the day, the IDF stated that the suspicion regarding the truck being rigged with explosives had been ruled out.
A few hours later announced that Staff Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal, aged 24, from Nof HaGalil, a soldier from the 90th Battalion ("Nahshon"), Kfir Brigade, was killed in the attack.
IDF and Israeli Border Police forces operated in the area of Rafat and mapped out the residence of the terrorist who carried out the terror attack. The mapping was conducted in order to examine the potential demolition of the terrorist's residence.
Yossi Amar, a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT and head of the organization’s Binyamin branch, reported at the scene: "I was close by when I heard gunshots. I quickly arrived at the scene and saw a truck, which, according to bystanders, had run over a pedestrian."
"One person with critical injuries was treated at the scene. The terrorist has been neutralized."
Deputy Fireman Officer Roni Yaakov, who heads the Matityahu station, said, "According to security forces, this was a ramming attack carried out by a truck transporting dangerous materials. Firefighters are at the scene and working to ensure the safety of the forces at the scene, and they are prepared for any scenario."
Channel 12 News named the terrorist as Haeel Issa Abed Algaber Deif Allah, 58 years old from the town of Rafat in northern Samaria.
The Hamas terror group praised the ramming attack, calling it a "natural consequence of the crimes which Israel commits in Gaza and the [West] Bank. The continued actions of resistance during the Al-Aqsa Flood (Hamas' name for the October 7 massacre - ed.) prove its ability to terrify the enemy and respond to its wicked plans."
