Two Israelis Killed in Terror Shooting Near Gilad Farm in West Bank

Gilad Farm, Mujaddara, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 | Jihad Watch

Two Israelis, including an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer, were killed and several others sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious in a terror shooting near Gilad Farm, a settlement southwest of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on Friday morning.

According to the IDF, a group of Israeli civilians had entered an area under Palestinian Authority control while hiking. The military stated that the group was confronted by Palestinians, who allegedly began pelting them with stones before one of the assailants opened fire. Israeli troops and other security personnel quickly arrived at the scene and exchanged fire with the suspected attackers.

The Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry reported that at least four Palestinians were killed and four others were injured, with three said to be in critical condition. However, a different version of events was presented by Essam Saifi, a local Fatah leader, who told Reuters that around 25 to 30 Israeli settlers had entered the area, attacked local residents, and attempted to force their way into two homes. According to Saifi, residents confronted the settlers, after which gunfire broke out.

Saifi further claimed that the Israelis returned approximately 30 minutes later and launched another attack on the western side of the town, injuring a minor. He alleged that Israeli security forces later arrived and, together with the settlers, opened fire during the ensuing confrontation. These claims have not been confirmed by Israeli authorities.

One of the Israelis killed was identified as 32-year-old Benayahu Melet, a member of Gilad Farm's emergency response squad. According to Israeli authorities, Melet was fatally shot while attempting to assist hikers who had come under attack. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, aged 13 and 12.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)