An IDF combat soldier was killed early this morning during routine operational activity in the West Bank village of Ya’bad, situated next to the city of Jenin.
The IDF spokesperson’s unit informed TV7 that the deadly incident occurred when an Israeli force of the Golani Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit was exiting the Palestinian village after completing their mission. However, before they managed to exit the village an unknown assailant was said to have hurled a big rock from a building’s roof overlooking the moving Israeli force. Consequently, Staff Sergeant Amit Ben Ygal sustained a direct blow to the head. He was rushed to hospital by means of medivac. Nevertheless, upon arrival, the medical staff was forced to pronounce the soldier’s death.
The soldier’s family has been notified. The fallen soldier was subsequently promoted to sergeant first class. He was the first IDF casualty in the West Bank since the beginning of 2020.
In response to this incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement in which he vowed that Israel’s long arm will find the terrorists responsible. This statement was echoed by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett who stressed that “the IDF will pursue the terrorists responsible for the death of the soldier and bring them to justice.”
In contrast, the Islamist Hamas organization praised the killing of the Israeli soldier, saying “the incident proves the ability of our people in the West Bank to continue their struggle against the occupation until the Israeli military and the settlements are pushed out.”
In other yet related news, a Palestinian assailant conducted an attempted stabbing attack in the West Bank border crossing of Kalandia – which is the main artery between the cities of Ramallah and Jerusalem.
According to police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, “security guards responded to an attempted terrorist attack by a Palestinian. The terrorist was shot at the scene and police are now investigating where the terrorist came from. Heightened security is continuing in and around the area, especially in Jerusalem, to prevent any further terrorist attacks from taking place.”