Two IDF soldiers were killed and 10 others injured Tuesday evening in a major traffic accident on Highway 6, east of the coastal city of Netanya. The accident occurred at an interchange east of Netanya and west of the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Tulkarem. Highway 6 is Israel’s primary north-south artery. Sergeant Bar Yakubian, 19, and Sergeant Eshto Tespo, 21, both of the Golani combat unit, were killed when a truck full of Israeli soldiers collided with several private cars parked on the shoulder of the highway.
The truck was driven by an Arab resident of eastern Jerusalem.
Of the 10 additional soldiers who were injured, one remains in serious condition, one in moderate condition, and eight were lightly injured. They were treated by Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah emergency first responders. Fire and rescue personnel arrived to free several people from trapped cars crushed by the truck.
The IDF’s Northern Command has established a unit that will coordinate with Israeli civil and military police to investigate the cause of the incident, including whether the collision was an act of terror.
