At least three people were injured in a double terrorist attack in Gush Etzion on Friday evening.
The first attack occurred at around 11:35 p.m., when a vehicle exploded at a gas station in the Gush Etzion Junction.
After the explosion, a terrorist got out of the vehicle and tried to attack security forces who were called to the scene.
The terrorist was neutralized, two people were injured.
Footage: Terrorist neutralized after car explosion near Gush Etzion Junction
Footage of the car explosion in Gush Etzion
Moments later, a second terrorist arrived in a vehicle at the entrance to the community of Carmei Tzur, where he tried to run over the security guard at the entrance to the community and lightly injured him.
Security forces who were called to the scene eliminated the terrorist. Extensive searches are being conducted in Carmei Tzur due to concerns that another terrorist is roaming around. Residents of the community have been asked to remain in their homes.
The vehicle driven by the terrorist in Carmei Tzur also included an explosive device which went off, setting the car on fire.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement that “over the past hour, two security incidents occurred in the area of the Etzion Regional Brigade.”
“Approximately an hour ago, a vehicle caught fire and exploded in a gas station at the Gush Etzion Junction. IDF soldiers who were dispatched to the scene opened fire and eliminated the terrorist who exited the vehicle and attempted to attack them. Security forces are conducting scans in the area to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists.”
“In an additional incident, terrorists attempted to ram a security guard at the entrance to the Carmei Tzur community a short while ago and infiltrated the community. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and a terrorist was neutralized. Security forces are conducting scans to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists in the area. The incident is still developing.”
The statement added that IDF, Israel Police, and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) forces who were dispatched to the area, are conducting wide-range scans and blocking routes in the area.
“At this moment, it cannot be determined if the incidents are related. A number of injuries have been reported. The details are still under review,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Magen David Adom said that two people were injured in the attack near the gas station at the Gush Etzion Junction, including a 24-year-old man in moderate condition and a 34-year-old man in light condition.
Both were evacuated by paramedics to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
In the second attack in Carmei Tzur, Magen David Adom said, a 28-year-old man was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem in light condition, with injuries resulting from being hit by the vehicle of the terrorist.
Both terrorists were eliminated, said the Magen David Adom statement.
Over the course of several hours following the attacks, security forces conducted scans to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists in the Carmei Tzur community.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Command arrived at the scene of the terror attack and conducted a situational assessment along with the commanders of the Judea and Samaria Regional Division, the Etzion Regional Brigade, the Judea Regional Brigade, and additional commanders.
"The initial examination of the vehicle explosion at the Gush Etzion gas station indicated that the incident was an attempted car bombing by a terrorist," the IDF stated. "During the IDF's response to the attack, the Commander of the Etzion Regional Brigade sustained minor injuries while continuing to lead the troops in the elimination of the terrorist. Additionally, an IDF officer was moderately injured, and a reservist officer responsible for the security in a nearby community sustained minor injuries."
"In the incident at the Carmei Tzur community, a terrorist infiltrated the compound, prompting the Head of Security to pursue the terrorist by car. During the chase, a collision occurred between the Head of Security's vehicle and the terrorist's car, leading to the terrorist being neutralized shortly after. During the confrontation, an explosive device in the terrorist's car detonated."
