Eight IDF soldiers were wounded Tuesday morning in a shooting attack near the Palestinian village of Tayasir, north of the Jordan Valley. The attacker arrived at the Tayasir checkpoint and opened fire at the IDF soldiers stationed there.
Two of the wounded are in critical condition. Two of the injured soldiers were transported to Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, where they arrived conscious and were taken to the trauma unit. Four others were taken to Beilinson Hospital’s trauma unit for treatment following the attack in northern Samaria.
At around 6:00 a.m., the terrorist approached an IDF guard post near the Tayasir checkpoint and opened fire. Reports indicate he was wearing an olive-green vest resembling a military uniform, leading to initial confusion and crossfire. He fired toward a pillbox with IDF soldiers in it before soldiers at the checkpoint, along with reinforcements, returned fire and killed him.
Military officials have criticized the security conditions at the checkpoint and the troops’ ability to protect themselves.
תיעוד רגעי הפיגוע בכפר תייסיר שבצפון השומרון@nurityohanan https://t.co/WRuaDESQO0 pic.twitter.com/1XApfFyiBn
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 4, 2025
The IDF is investigating the possibility that the attacker infiltrated the soldiers’ compound—comprising a guard post and a pillbox—and took them by surprise by firing at close range.
Palestinian footage from the scene suggests the assailant advanced under cover of darkness from a built-up area, reached the checkpoint, and entered the compound before opening fire. Soldiers responded with gunfire.
The footage also shows shots fired at the pillbox, though it remains unclear whether they were from the assailant targeting the position or if he had already entered it and was being fired upon by IDF forces.
The attack comes amid intensified IDF counterterror operations in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin, Tubas, Tammun, Tulkarm, and Kabatiya, as part of Operation Iron Wall.
Just yesterday, the IDF reported over 100 arrests of wanted individuals and the elimination of approximately 50 terrorists. Additionally, dozens of weapons and explosive devices were confiscated, and 23 structures used for terrorist activities were demolished in Jenin.
Security officials stated that “the operation will continue as long as necessary,” as directed by the security cabinet. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as “a large-scale and significant military operation to eliminate terrorism in Jenin,” adding that it was “another step in achieving our goal—strengthening security in Judea and Samaria.”
He emphasized that Israel is systematically countering “the Iranian axis wherever it extends its reach—whether in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Judea and Samaria. And we will continue to do so.”
IDF reinforcements deployed to the West Bank
Amid rising security threats, the Judea and Samaria Division has been reinforced with special units and combat battalions to secure roads, settlements, and carry out widespread arrests while also responding to violent riots.
Following the attack, the Yesha Council released a statement: “In this difficult hour, we wish to strengthen the IDF soldiers and their commanders. Our brave fighters’ relentless battle keeps the vile terrorists away from the homes of Israeli citizens and prevents scenes similar to October 7 from occurring in Afula and Netanya, God forbid.”
“This morning’s attack once again proves that Arab terrorism seeks to harm the State of Israel and IDF soldiers. The Israeli government must decisively defeat Arab terrorism and declare the application of Israeli sovereignty to prevent the establishment of a terrorist state in the heart of the country,” the statement concluded.
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