The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has said troops who killed two Palestinian gunmen in the southern West Bank prevented a potentially larger attack.
Zamir made the statement during a security assessment with military officers following Friday’s shooting incident, which left five Israelis wounded, including two in critical condition.
Describing the incident as a serious attack, the IDF chief commended the troops for their swift response, saying their intervention prevented further casualties among civilians and security personnel.
“The troops’ swift action prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces,” he stated.
According to Zamir, a substantial quantity of ammunition was discovered inside the vehicle used by the assailants to reach the scene, suggesting that the weapons and ammunition could have been intended for a larger-scale operation.
The IDF said the two gunmen were armed with an M16 assault rifle and a pistol. They were shot dead by the deputy commander of the Home Front Command’s Ari Battalion and a company commander who responded to the scene.
Following the incident, Zamir directed military officials to prepare for the possible deployment of additional forces to the IDF’s Central Command area, should the security situation require reinforcement.
Daily Post had reported that the shooting occurred at the Judea Junction along Route 35 in the southern West Bank, near Hebron.
Israeli forces subsequently imposed closures on several Palestinian towns in the area, including Hebron, as part of their security response.
IDF Chief says troops foiled larger attack after killing two Palestinian gunmen