A man of 30 was murdered and two others seriously injured in a lynch and shooting attack carried out Friday morning on the outskirts of the Arab village of Tal, near the Gilad Junction in Samaria.
According to the reports, a number of Palestinian Arabs gathered around a group of veteran Israeli hikers, prompting the deployment of IDF troops and additional security forces to the scene.
Several of the terrorists attacked the hikers, stealing the weapon of a local community security coordinator who had arrived at the scene, opened fire, and wounded several Israelis.
Magen David Adom (MDA) and IDF paramedics treated the victims at the scene, and two were evacuated by air to a hospital for further treatment.
Ichilov Hospital has reported that they received two victims from the terror attack, who were evacuated by helicopter to the hospital's emergency department. One of the victims is in critical condition and hospital staff are fighting for his life in the trauma room, while the second victim is in serious condition.
An MDA spokesperson said, "There are in total three injured. MDA paramedics declared the death of a man aged about 30 and are evacuating by helicopter, together with IDF medics, two victims with shooting wounds: a man of about 20 in serious condition and a man of about 25 in moderate condition."
The Palestinian Authority's health department reported that four of the terrorists were eliminated and three were severely injured at the scene from security forces' actions to neutralize the terrorists.
The hike had been coordinated in advance with security authorities. It began in Har Bracha and was making its way toward Havat Gilad and then Kedumim.
The IDF said, "Initial report - A report was received regarding a shooting near the area of Havat Gilad. The details are under review."
Later, the IDF said: "Following the report regarding a shooting attack in the area near Havat Gilad, earlier today (Friday), IDF soldiers were dispatched to the area of Tal following a report regarding an attack on Israeli civilians who were hiking in the area."
"Subsequently, terrorists stole the weapon of a security personnel who had arrived at the scene and opened fire toward the Israeli civilians. As a result, several Israeli civilians were injured and evacuated to receive medical treatment at the hospital.
"Additional IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and are currently pursuing the terrorists while establishing security roadblocks in the area. A temporary cordon was imposed on the city of Nablus and the Tal area."
Following the deadly terror attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will convene Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir for a discussion on Israel's response.
"We will act with force against the terrorists and those who sent them, and we will not allow terrorism in Judea and Samaria to raise its head," Netanyahu said.
Samaria Regional Council chair Yossi Dagan, who arrived at the scene, is holding a situational assessment together with security forces, and is in constant contact with the IDF and first responders.
"The incident is still ongoing," he said. "There are still people in danger. Terror will not break us. The response needs to be offensive - to hunt down the terrorists until they are eliminated, and to hit terror with all our might. At the same time, we must continue to build, to develop, and to strengthen the settlements in Samaria. Whoever tries to harm us must know that he will receive a stronger and larger Samaria."
Meanwhile, security forces have encircled the village of Tal and are searching for the terrorist, and several entrances to Shechem (Nablus) as part of security activity in the area.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also a member of the Cabinet, said, "This is a difficult morning near Havat Gilad. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim, pray for the recovery of those wounded in the attack, and embrace the residents and hikers."
"We cannot allow the erosion of deterrence and the growing boldness of our enemies in recent weeks against the pioneers of the communities and farms to become the new normal. I demand that the IDF act with a heavy hand against the murderers' village and its surroundings, and restore governance and deterrence.
"The brave residents of the farms and pioneers of the settlement movement are the protective wall of the State of Israel. We will continue to strengthen and honor them for their standing strong for our existence in the Land of Israel in the face of Arab terrorism," Smotrich concluded.
