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Edited by: Fern Sidman

At least four people were murdered and multiple others injured in a terrorist shooting attack at a gas station near the city of Eli in the Binyamin region Tuesday afternoon, according to a report on the Israel National News web site.

The Israel Defense Forces stated that two terrorists approached the gas station in a vehicle and opened fire, moderately injuring a security guard. The terrorists then opened fire at a restaurant and shot five more people.

An armed civilian shot and neutralized the terrorist.  His condition was not immediately confirmed but medics were later seen carrying him away in a body bag. The second assailant fled the gas station in a stolen Toyota, the AP report said.

The AP reported that Israeli security forces said they also shot and killed another Palestinian assailant who later fled the shooting scene. The Hamas militant organization claimed both assailants as members.

After an hours long manhunt, Israeli security forces caught him in the town of Tubas, shooting and killing him when he tried to run out of his car, the AP reported. Palestinian health officials identified the man as 24-year-old Khaled Sabah.

The Palestinian terror groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the attack, the AP reported.

“Revolutionaries in the West Bank are striking everywhere, and specifically where Israel does not expect it,” said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, describing the shooting as a “reaction to the crimes of the occupation in the Jenin camp,” as was reported by the AP.

Magen David Adom (MDA) EMTs and Paramedics evacuated two victims in critical condition, including a 20-year-old male to Shaare Tzedek Medical Center and a 38-year-old male to Beilinson Hospital, INN reported. Four further victims, including three who are unconscious, were treated at the scene.

MDA EMT Motty Dahan said: “We received a call on MDA’s 101 Emergency Call Center to a shooting attack at a gas station near the community of Eli. We arrived in large numbers and saw a complex site. Seven victims had gunshot wounds, some in the gas station and some in a nearby restaurant. We performed medical checks and began providing medical treatment, three of the victims were evacuated in MDA MICUs to the hospital, and unfortunately, four of the victims were pronounced dead.”

MDA Paramedic Liz Goral added: “One of the victims who was seriously injured by gunshots at the gas station was brought to us by the community’s entrance. He was fully conscious and in pain. We moved him quickly to the MICU and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital while providing life-saving treatment including a tourniquet and drug therapy to stabilize his condition.”

INN also reported that United Hatzalah volunteer paramedics Aviah Chaim and Yoni Rosenfeld said: “Unfortunately four people were pronounced dead following resuscitation attempts that were unsuccessful. In addition, we provided initial treatment to four more people who suffered from gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of the incident, United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit also treated a number of people for emotional shock.”

Israeli security personnel have been deployed to the area. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was set to meet with Israel’s army chief and other top security officials to discuss a response to the shooting as pressure grows from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners for a harsh crackdown on the wave of Palestinian terrorism.

“Now is the time for a military operation in Judea and Samaria,” said Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. From the scene of the attack, he demanded that the government launch “targeted assassinations from the air,” “take down buildings,” deport Palestinian assailants and impose the death penalty on terrorists, according to an AP report.

Gush Etzion Mayor, and Yesha Council Chairman, Shlomo Ne’eman, also responded to the deadly terrorist attack near Eli in Binyamin.

“Evil beasts opened fire today, murdering four people”, Ne’eman said, as was reported by INN. “We send a warm embrace to the families of those murdered during this difficult time and pray for a speedy recovery for the wounded.”

“The enemy which once again raised its head, must be eliminated”, he added, “We cannot continue to absorb these blows and hope the wave of terrorism will just pass. We demand that the government launch a broad [military] operation. The IDF must remove its gloves because terrorism can only be dealt with using a heavy hand, alongside the continued building and development of Jewish life in Judea and Samaria, which will bring quiet to the region.”

“The application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria will crush the enemy’s hope and remove any question marks over our future in Israel” Ne’eman concluded, the INN report said.

Likud MK Danny Danon called for the launching of a major military operation to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samara following the attack. INN reported that he said, “We demand a military operation in Judea and Samaria now. Not later. Now is the time to strike hard and fast. I call on our prime minister to order a large scale military operation and to immediately reinstate the security barriers that were removed. The people of Israel are united and support the government, the army and our internal security services in the realization of this urgent problem which will save countless innocent lives.”

The Israeli military said it was sending reinforcements to the Samaria region and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “settle the score with the murderers,” the AP reported.

“Today, next to the community of Eli, a shocking and abhorrent terrorist attack was perpetrated. From the depths of my heart, I send condolences to the families of those who were murdered, may G-d avenge them, and on behalf of the entire people, I send my best wishes for a swift recovery to the wounded,” Netanyahu said, as was reported by INN.

“Our forces are now working on the ground in order to settle accounts with the murderers. In recent months, we have already proven that we do settle accounts with all of the murderers, without exception. Those who have attacked us are either in the grave or in prison, and so it will be here. I would like to remind all those who seek to harm us: All options are open. We will continue to fight terrorism with full force and we will defeat it,” the prime minister concluded.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan condemned UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland over Wennesland’s response to the deadly terrorist shooting attack in Binyamin in which four Israeli civilians were murdered on Tuesday, according to an INN report.

“Deeply alarmed by the continuing cycle of violence & appalled by the continued loss of civilian lives. I strongly condemn today’s shooting attack by a Palestinian perpetrator(s) in the occupied West Bank which resulted in the killing of four Israelis,” Wennesland wrote on Twitter, adding: “I urge all sides to refrain from steps that could further enflame an already volatile situation.”

INN reported that Erdan wrote in response: “The UN’s empty condemnations mean nothing. The UN’s representatives make immoral and false comparisons between a democracy neutralizing terrorists posing imminent threats and vicious terrorists targeting innocent civilians. Calling it a “cycle of violence” only gives a green light for the terrorists to continue.”

“The UN does not demand accountability from Abu Mazen, who refuses to even condemn the murders, while he continues to pay salaries to terrorists and allow sick celebrations on his streets. This Palestinian behavior cannot be tolerated,” the Israeli ambassador added, as was reported by INN.

“My heart aches hearing the news of 4 innocent Israelis murdered by despicable Palestinian terrorists. I send my condolences to the families of the victims,” Erdan said.

The Israeli rescue service said that one person remained in serious condition, two people in moderate condition and another in light condition, as was reported by the AP.  Medics reported that they found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds in the hummus restaurant and the outside gas station, the AP report said.

The names of three of the four victims of Tuesday’s terrorist shooting attack near Eli have been cleared for publication, as was reported by INN.

One victim was identified as Harel Masoud, a 21-year-old resident of Yad Binyamin. Another was named as Elisha Antman, a 17-year-old resident of Eli. A third was identified as Ofer Fairman, a 60-year-old resident of Eli.

INN also reported that the Nahal Sorek Regional Council said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart and great pain, we were informed at this moment that in the severe attack that took place today in the settlement of Eli, Harel Masoud, a resident of Yad Binyamin, was murdered. Harel is the son of Gil and Yael Masoud, and was only 21 years old at the time of his murder.”

Council head Shai Reichner said: “There are no words to express the shock and pain we are feeling right now. I and the entire Nahal Sorek community grieve with the Masoud family for this terrible disaster, share in their unimaginable grief and embrace the family,” INN reported.

Yakrat Friedman, a friend of the family, called Harel a “golden child” he “loved so much. He loved the Land of Israel and its people. He had just been released from combat service and dreamed of settling this land and worked to fulfill his dream together with his friends.”

INN also reported that the community of Eli released a statement which reads: The community of Eli released a statement which reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elisha Antman, who was murdered in today’s attack, a resident of the Neve neighborhood in Eli. We share in the family’s grief.”

Tuesday’s deadly terror attack followed fighting in Jenin on Monday as heavy clashes broke out between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli troops. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Border Police entered Jenin to detain two wanted Palestinians, leading to a massive exchange of fire and the deployment of an Israeli helicopter gunship. As a result of the clashes, six Palestinians were killed and at least 91 people were wounded. This incident marks the first airstrike in Judea and Samaria in approximately two decades and underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. The use of attack helicopters in the region had previously been limited to special circumstances during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s.

According to a joint statement issued by the IDF and Border Police, forces encountered armed gunmen upon entering Jenin and engaged in a fierce firefight. The exchange of fire was accompanied by the hurling of numerous explosive devices at the Israeli forces. In response, the Israeli forces used live fire, resulting in the injury of several suspects.

During the clashes, a vehicle carrying Israeli soldiers was hit by an explosive device, injuring seven soldiers and Border Police officers. Two IDF soldiers sustained moderate injuries, while five Border Police officers were injured, two moderately and three lightly. The wounded personnel were immediately airlifted to hospitals in Israel for treatment.

Following the clashes, the IDF continued to operate in Jenin to remove several heavily damaged vehicles. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, stated that forces came under fire during the removal process. He assured that the situation was under control and emphasized that the incidents in Jenin would be thoroughly investigated to draw lessons.

Lt. Col (Res) Doron Avital gives his assessment of the continued clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian terrorist groups. He said, “We are in some sort of a mini-war in northern Samaria for quite a while.”

The recent clashes in Jenin are indicative of the heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians over the past year. The IDF has conducted frequent raids in Judea and Samaria, responding to a series of deadly Palestinian terror attacks. Throughout this period, 20 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks in Israel and Judea and Samaria with many more sustaining serious injuries.

In a related development, on Monday, the Tazpit Press Service reported that the Galilean Wolves, a Palestinian terror group based in Syria with ties to Iran and Hezbollah is actively preparing for a new series of attacks inside Israel.

Speaking from Syria, Fadi Malach, commander of the Galilean Wolves told the Tazpit Press Service, “We are in the midst of preparations for a series of additional operations inside Israel, despite Israel’s warning to Hezbollah who might go on another adventure.”

Malach also told TPS that his group was responsible for a roadside bombing at the Megiddo Junction in northern Israel which injured an Israeli motorist. The man who planted the bomb was subsequently killed by Israeli soldiers while driving back towards the Lebanese border. Explosives and a weapon were found in the vehicle and the terrorist reportedly wore a suicide bomb belt.

“We are responsible for the Megiddo operation and have been active since 2004 in an effort to bring about the liberation of the Galilee, in the first stage,” Malach said.

On March 13, 2023, the organization took responsibility for Megiddo’s operation on Telegram channels in which texts and videos were combined under its name, TPS reported.  Malach did not offer any new evidence to TPS to support his claim. Israel believes Hezbollah was responsible for the attack.

Malach claimed that unlike Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Galilean Wolves have not been co-opted by Iran.

“We are in contact with the Islamic Jihad and the “Popular Front” in Syria, but we do not represent countries like Iran, but only the Palestinian interest,” he insisted to TPS. “The Palestinian Authority does not represent the Palestinian people, but only the groups that work against Israel.”

(Sources: AP.com, IsraelNationalNews.com & TPS.com)