A man in his 30s was killed and two other Israelis wounded in a shooting attack Friday morning near Chavat Gilad in Samaria. Benayahu Maltt, 32, a resident of Chavat Gilad and member of the community's civilian emergency response squad, was identified as the fatality. According to initial reports, Maltt went to assist a group of Israeli hikers who had come under terrorist attack in the area and was shot by the attackers during the rescue effort. He is survived by his wife, Esther, and two daughters, ages 12 and 13.
The IDF's initial investigation indicated that Israeli civilians hiking near the Palestinian village of Tel came under attack by terrorists. A security officer responding to assist the hikers was also attacked, and the terrorists seized his weapon and used it to fire on the Israelis.
Magen David Adom reported three Israelis were injured. Paramedics performed prolonged resuscitation on a man in his 30s but pronounced him dead at the scene. Two other victims, aged approximately 20 and 25, sustained gunshot wounds and were airlifted by military helicopter to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Upon arrival, one was listed in critical condition undergoing intensive trauma care, while the second was in serious condition.
MDA senior medic Aviel Mamlia described treating one victim with an upper body gunshot wound who was conscious and evacuated to a military helicopter "in stable condition." He later joined IDF medical personnel treating the critically wounded victim. "We provided medical treatment to a critically injured man who was unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite prolonged resuscitation efforts, we were forced to pronounce him dead," Mamlia said.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported four Palestinians killed and four wounded during the incident in Tel, three critically. According to initial reports, those killed were believed to be terrorists involved in the attack.
Additional IDF forces deployed to the area and launched a manhunt for remaining attackers while establishing roadblocks. The military imposed a security closure on Nablus and Tel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "We will act forcefully against the terrorists and those who send them, and we will not allow terrorism in Judea and Samaria to raise its head." The Prime Minister's Office announced Netanyahu would convene an urgent meeting with the defense minister and IDF chief of staff to discuss Israel's response.
Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan stated, "Terrorism will not break us. The response must be offensive, to hunt down the terrorists without any compromise and strike terror with full force."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a strong military response, saying, "We cannot normalize the erosion of deterrence and the renewed boldness of our enemies in recent weeks against the pioneers of the settlement movement and the agricultural farms" And demanded that "the IDF act with a heavy hand against the village of the terrorists and its surroundings."