Initial reports indicated that the civilian was stabbed during an altercation with Palestinians near Derech Avraham Farm after he and other Israelis rushed to extinguish a blaze.
By JNS
Two separate Palestinian stabbing attacks in Samaria on Thursday left an Israeli civilian seriously wounded and an IDF soldier lightly injured, while the attackers were killed by an armed civilian and Israeli troops, authorities said.
Two Palestinians stabbed a 51-year-old Israeli man on Thursday while he and other Israelis attempted to extinguish a fire near Derech Avraham Farm, southeast of Nablus in Samaria, the Israel Defense Forces said.
An Israeli civilian at the scene witnessed the terrorist attack and killed the two terrorists, the military said.
In a separate terrorist attack on Thursday afternoon, a Palestinian stabbed a Paratroopers Brigade soldier in the leg at a recently established IDF post near Ganim in northern Samaria.
The soldier sustained light wounds, and fellow troops at the scene shot and killed the attacker.
The victim of the first attack was evacuated by helicopter by the Israeli Air Force’s Unit 669 combat search-and-rescue unit for further treatment at a hospital.
He sustained serious wounds, the Magen David Adom national emergency service said.
IDF soldiers launched searches in the Beit Furik area and imposed a temporary cordon, the army added.
Defense Minister Israel Katz identified the victim as Itamar Cohen.
“I wish a speedy recovery to Itamar Cohen, one of the founders of the agricultural farms in Judea and Samaria, who was wounded in a terrorist attack near Alon Moreh. I strengthen him and his family members and pray for his complete healing,” Katz wrote on X.
He added that Palestinian terrorism has declined by more than 80% due to the government’s “aggressive policy,” but cautioned that “we must not be mistaken—the Palestinian terrorism still exists, and we continue to act against it at all times and in all places.”
Katz said that just as Israeli security forces dismantled terrorist infrastructure in Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams, they would not hesitate to do the same in additional villages and camps.
“Terrorism will not deter us or achieve its goal. On the contrary—just as we established 104 new communities and legalized 160 farms—we will continue to strengthen the settlements … as part of the State of Israel’s security strategy, and to continue developing Judea and Samaria while maintaining uncompromising security for its residents and for the security of all Israeli citizens,” he said.
Investigators from Israel Fire and Rescue Services and the Israel Police have begun examining the circumstances surrounding the fire, according to the IDF.
Initial reports indicated that the victim was stabbed during an altercation with Palestinians near Derech Avraham Farm after he and other Israelis rushed to extinguish a blaze that had spread over a large area.
“While we were providing security at the scene of a fire, civilians shouted to us that a man had been wounded in a stabbing,” MDA emergency medical technician Israel Arbus told Ynet.
“We immediately ran to the scene and found a man suffering from stab wounds to his body. We provided him with life-saving medical treatment, including stopping the bleeding, and, together with an IDF medical team, evacuated him to the hospital in serious condition.”
Following the attack near Derech Avraham Farm, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves as an additional minister within the Defense Ministry with authority over civil affairs in Judea and Samaria, said he had instructed the Settlement Administration to accelerate the establishment of the nearby community of Shalem, which was approved by the Cabinet.
He also directed the Civil Administration to advance the mapping and demolition of illegal structures in the area, saying the measures would strengthen governance and security.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!