IDF chief orders troop reinforcements after deadly terror attack

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Saturday underscored the gravity of the previous day’s deadly terrorist attack and ordered a reinforcement of troop deployments in the Central Command region.

He also directed the continuation of operational activity, including encirclement measures, a closure and the pursuit of accomplices and terrorist operatives in the Qabatiya area in northern Samaria.

Two people were killed and two wounded in an attack on Friday in the Beit She’an Valley in northern Israel before the terrorist was shot and detained at the entrance to the city of Afula.

The assailant, identified as Ahmad Abu al-Rub, a 34-year-old Palestinian from Qabatiya, had been working illegally in Israel, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported.

Zamir’s decision followed a situational assessment with Central Command Commander Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth; Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller; head of the Civil Administration Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim; and other senior security officials.

The IDF chief instructed forces to complete the sealing of the terrorist’s residence and to move forward with finalizing the procedures required for its demolition. He further directed the military to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities in northern Samaria and stressed the need to strengthen coordination among all security bodies while addressing all aspects of infiltrators with the same rigor applied to counterterrorism efforts.

“We have just experienced a severe terrorist attack in which two civilians were killed. The IDF shares in the families’ grief and stands alongside them in this difficult time,” said Zamir.

“This terrorist attack underscores the responsibility of the IDF to learn, draw lessons, and strengthen the defense of Israel’s civilians, in Judea and Samaria and across all arenas,” he added.

Zamir said the current security environment is marked by lone attackers and individuals residing in Israel illegally, stressing that enforcement against those who transport or employ them must be intensified.

“Our primary objective is clear—to continue preventing and stopping terrorism before it materializes,” he added.

Israeli security forces have imposed a “complete siege and cordon” on Qabatiya, located near Jenin, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Saturday evening.

“We will continue to lead an uncompromising offensive policy against Palestinian terrorism in the terror camps in northern Samaria and throughout Judea and Samaria. Whoever provides backing and shelter to terrorism will pay the full price,” said Katz.