By: Fern Sidman – Jewish Voice News

A devastating ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion Junction on Tuesday claimed the life of 65-year-old Aharon Cohen, a beloved and longtime resident of Kiryat Arba whose sudden death sent shockwaves across communities in the region. As reported by VIN News, the assault left multiple people wounded, renewed anxieties surrounding regional security, and reignited political tensions amid wider debates over international policy decisions relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Cohen’s funeral is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. at the eulogy hall in Industrial Zone A, drawing family, friends, and neighbors who have described him as a man whose life was rooted in family, faith, and the development of his community. According a report on Tuesday at VIN News, Cohen is survived by six children and numerous grandchildren, many of whom he was known to dote on, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and generational pride that now stands in tragic contrast to the violence that ended his life.

In a statement released shortly after the attack, the municipality of Kiryat Arba-Hebron conveyed profound sorrow, noting that the entire community “bows its head and shares in the grief of the Cohen family following the murder by evildoers of Aharon Cohen, a longtime resident of the city.” The municipality described Cohen as a familiar face whose presence had helped shape the neighborhood’s communal fabric over several decades. The VIN News report emphasized that local leaders expressed both deep sadness and steadfast solidarity with the mourning family.

The attack, which unfolded in broad daylight at one of the region’s busiest junctions, also left a woman in her 40s seriously injured. In addition, a man in his 30s and a 15-year-old boy suffered moderate wounds. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, emergency medical responders transported the injured victims to both Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, where medical teams quickly worked to stabilize their conditions. Their names have not yet been released publicly.

Authorities confirmed that the two assailants—residents of Beit Ummar, a town located north of Hebron—were killed at the scene after armed civilians and IDF reservists engaged them. The attackers reportedly drove a vehicle into pedestrians before exiting the car and beginning to stab passersby indiscriminately. The VIN News report noted that the IDF reservists involved in neutralizing the terrorists were members of the 7491 Battalion, who happened to be present and responded within moments as the situation escalated.

Following the confrontation, Israeli security forces discovered several pipe bombs inside the attackers’ vehicle, reigniting concerns over the increasing use of improvised explosive devices in recent attacks across Judea and Samaria. Security officials, speaking to VIN News, noted that the presence of such devices indicates the possibility of an even larger planned assault that may have been narrowly averted thanks to the swift actions of armed civilians and military personnel.

A preliminary investigation by security agencies revealed that the assailants’ initial attempt was to ram pedestrians at the junction, a tactic that has been repeatedly employed in recent years in coordinated or lone-wolf terror attacks. After the vehicle struck bystanders, the attackers emerged armed with knives and began stabbing civilians in close proximity. VIN News reported that the rapid response by IDF reservists and armed citizens prevented further casualties and curtailed what authorities fear could have become a mass-casualty event.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the attack has triggered political reverberations. Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal and the Yesha Council issued statements linking the assault to concerns over recent U.S.-backed actions at the United Nations regarding the future establishment of a Palestinian state. According to the information contained in the VIN News report, both leaders suggested that heightened diplomatic pressure and what they characterized as international moves perceived as bolstering Palestinian political aspirations may embolden extremist elements seeking to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians.

Rosenthal emphasized that communities in Judea and Samaria have already been facing heightened security risks and warned that shifts in global policy could have a direct effect on the environment on the ground. The Yesha Council echoed these sentiments, arguing that decisions made at international forums do not remain theoretical but reverberate in everyday life, creating conditions that could be misread by terrorist operatives as openings for escalation.

The political dimension expanded further when U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a strong condemnation of the attack. As reported by VIN News, Huckabee stated, “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and fully condemn these cowardly acts of savage violence.” His remarks underscored the ongoing collaboration between Israeli and American officials on matters of security while also reaffirming American opposition to terrorism targeting civilians.

The ambassador’s statement came amid growing diplomatic discussions about the region’s future stability, with U.S. officials seeking to project both moral clarity and strategic consistency in the aftermath of the assault. The VIN News report highlighted that American representatives have been closely monitoring developments across Judea and Samaria due to an increasing number of security incidents in recent months.

In Kiryat Arba, where residents have been grappling with sorrow and shock, community leaders urged the public to draw strength from one another as they confronted the painful loss. Local officials told VIN News that the community has endured multiple tragedies over the past several decades but remains resilient, united, and committed to honoring the memory of individuals like Cohen who contributed so much to the shared life of the town.

Neighbors described Cohen as a man who embodied warmth and reliability, someone known for his devotion to his large family and for being a steady presence at community events, religious gatherings, and volunteer initiatives. While VIN News noted that the municipality has not yet released a personal biography, residents have already begun recounting the acts of kindness and consistency that defined his reputation in Kiryat Arba.

The injured victims, meanwhile, remain under close medical supervision. Physicians at Shaare Zedek Medical Center told VIN News that the woman in her 40s underwent emergency procedures and was listed in serious but stable condition. The other two victims—both male, one an adult and the other a teenager—were reported to be conscious and recovering from puncture wounds and fractures. Medical teams at Hadassah Ein Kerem echoed those assessments, noting that the victims would require continued monitoring but were responding positively to treatment.

As security forces continued to gather evidence at the scene, investigators sought to determine whether the attackers acted alone or were part of a broader cell. VIN News cited early assessments suggesting that the two men had acted independently but noted that intelligence agencies were examining communication records, possible accomplices, and any affiliations the attackers may have had with known terrorist organizations.

In the wake of the assault, Israel’s security cabinet is expected to review the incident alongside other recent attacks as it considers potential operational adjustments across Judea and Samaria. VIN News reported that internal discussions may focus on increased patrols, expanded surveillance measures, and heightened alert protocols at road junctions considered vulnerable to vehicular attacks.

For now, the focus in Kiryat Arba remains on mourning a well-known resident whose death has left a void in a tight-knit community. As preparations were underway for Cohen’s funeral, VIN News reported that hundreds of residents were expected to attend, many expressing solidarity not only with the Cohen family but also with the injured victims and their families.

The tragedy at Gush Etzion Junction stands as another somber reminder of the challenges facing communities across the region. While political and security implications continue to unfold, the immediate reality remains grounded in the loss of life, the trauma experienced by survivors, and the enduring resilience of local residents who insist on continuing their lives despite repeated acts of violence.

As the VIN News report detailed, the investigation continues, the wounded fight for recovery, and a community gathers together in remembrance of a man whose life was woven into the daily rhythms of Kiryat Arba for decades.