Stabbing Attack in the Shomron Leaves One Man Critically Wounded; Two Attackers Killed

A 51-year-old man, a resident of the Shomron, was critically wounded today (Thursday) in a stabbing attack at Havat Avraham in the Shomron. Two attackers were killed at the scene. 

The IDF said that an initial inquiry indicates that during the attack at Havat Avraham in the Shomron, Palestinians from the village of Beit Furik allegedly set a fire in the area. When civilians arrived at the scene to put out the fire, one of them was stabbed in the chest by the attackers. The IDF said the two attackers were killed at the scene, and at the same time a closure was imposed on the village of Beit Furik.

A police spokesperson said that police forces from the Judea and Samaria District are operating at the scene, collecting evidence, and have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. It was also reported that the commander of the Judea and Samaria District, ניצב משה פינצ'י, is on his way to the scene.

MDA emergency medic Israel Arbus said: "While securing a fire at the scene, civilians shouted to us that there was a man injured in a stabbing. We immediately ran over and saw a 51-year-old man suffering from stab wounds to his body. We gave him life-saving medical treatment, including stopping the bleeding, and together with an IDF medical team we evacuated him to the hospital in serious condition. Two Palestinians were neutralized at the scene."

An IDF spokesperson's statement said: "Earlier today (Thurs.), a fire broke out near the community of Itamar in the Shomron Brigade area. During firefighting efforts, two attackers stabbed an Israeli civilian. Another civilian who was at the scene identified the attack and killed the two attackers. The wounded civilian was evacuated for medical treatment by a Unit 669 helicopter for continued care at the hospital. IDF forces are searching the area around the village of Beit Furik and have imposed a closure on it. Fire investigators from the Judea and Samaria District of Fire and Rescue Services, together with investigators from the Judea and Samaria District of the police, have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the fire".

Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan arrived at the scene of the attack יחד with security forces and said: "This is a serious terrorist attack. Again and again, we are witnessing arson and attempted attacks. There is a clear effort here by the Palestinian Authority and terrorist organizations to raise their heads through incitement that leads to attacks and through carrying out attacks on the ground. All citizens of Israel expect the government to respond with an iron fist. The settlement enterprise in the Shomron is strong, and we will defeat them. We expect the government to crush terrorism and those who incite it. We will win. A thousand terrorists will not help. This is our land, and we will win."