Two terrorists killed in Judea Junction attack near Chevron

Footage released from this morning's (Friday) shooting attack at Judea Junction, near Chevron, shows the opening moments of the assault. Two terrorists are seen arriving in a stolen vehicle bearing Israeli license plates, exiting the car, and opening fire at close range on forces at the scene. The attack ended with both terrorists eliminated after a gun battle lasting approximately 20 minutes.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held an urgent situation assessment this morning with senior defense officials following the attack. Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of Military Intelligence, and additional commanders participated in the assessment.

During the assessment, the Chief of Staff revealed disturbing details about the terrorists' plan. "This was a serious attack. The swift action of the fighters prevented an even more severe attack and further harm to civilians and security forces," Zamir said. He clarified that "in the vehicle the terrorists used to reach the attack site, a large quantity of ammunition was found, which was intended for carrying out an attack on a much wider scale."

According to assessments presented at the meeting, the two terrorists left Chevron with heavy ammunition in their vehicle, intending to carry out a significant attack. The terrorists were armed with an M4 automatic rifle and a handgun, and in the vehicle was found a "vest" with numerous additional rounds. According to the security establishment's assessment, the two were on their way to carry out an attack deep in civilian territory and encountered the checkpoint by chance.

The terrorists, believed to be affiliated with Hamas in Chevron, arrived around 07:20 at an impromptu checkpoint manned by reservists from the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command. Immediately after exiting the vehicle, the terrorists opened fire at close range at the fighters who were at the position. They then advanced toward a commanding position, and the exchange of fire continued.

Security forces in the vicinity returned fire and worked to neutralize the two. A paratroop force from Battalion 101, led by the deputy battalion commander, was also rushed to the scene and joined the Home Front Command fighters and civilian security forces managing the combat. According to data presented in the situation assessment, the terrorists were eliminated by the deputy commander of the Ari Battalion and the company commander who rushed to the scene.

Five people were wounded in the attack: two critically, one seriously, and two lightly. The wounded were evacuated for medical treatment at Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem hospitals in Yerushalayim.

Magen David Adom emergency medic Tzuriel Adri recounted that teams arrived at the scene while gunfire was still ongoing. "We entered with the armored ambulance and began extracting the wounded and providing medical treatment," he said. MDA paramedic Chanan Meir said he treated a man in his twenties who was wounded in the lower limbs and was evacuated in light and stable condition.

Following the attack, the Chief of Staff approved Central Command's deployment for a full closure on the city of Chevron and additional villages in the area. Zamir also ordered intensified efforts to carry out additional arrests and strengthen intelligence efforts, and instructed preparation for reinforcement of forces in Central Command according to operational need.

After the attack, numerous security forces were rushed to the area, including fighters from the Duvdevan unit and aerial assets, and began extensive searches to check whether there were additional suspects. Simultaneously, a closure was imposed on the city of Chevron and additional villages in the area, and traffic routes were blocked as part of the security operation.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also held a situation assessment following the attack, and his planned visit to Machane Yehuda market in Yerushalayim as part of the election campaign was canceled.

The attack occurred against the backdrop of additional terror incidents in the Judea and Samaria region in recent times, including stone-throwing and riots under cover of the olive harvest season. In Chevron itself, residents recently reported prolonged exchanges of gunfire that were also heard in Jewish homes in the city.