The IDF eliminated the gunman who carried out the shooting attack near Havat Gilad this morning and recovered the weapon, the military said. The victim, Binyahu Melat, 32, was the community's emergency response officer who rushed to aid hikers under attack, according to i24NEWS. The IDF Chief of Staff held a situation assessment following the incident.
The IDF confirmed Friday that the weapon stolen during the morning shooting attack near Havat Gilad has been recovered, and the victim has been identified as Binyahu Melat, 32, the community's emergency response officer who rushed to assist hikers under attack. The military said the gunman was eliminated seconds after the attack, and the weapon was seized. The IDF Chief of Staff held a situation assessment following the incident.
The attack unfolded Friday morning when a group of Israeli hikers encountered Palestinians near the village of Tel. At 09:25 Jerusalem, MDA confirmed the death of one victim at the scene. By 09:47, hiker testimonies reported that the sheikh of the village of Tel had allegedly snatched a security officer's weapon and opened fire. The IDF announced at 10:52 that the terrorist had been eliminated and the weapon recovered. The victim's identity was cleared for publication at 11:09 Jerusalem, with the name Binyahu Melat, a father of two and head of agriculture at Havat Gilad.
As The Zioneer reported at 09:25, Melat was a member of the community's emergency response team and rushed to aid hikers. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, aged 12 and 13. The village of Tel has been a focal point of tensions in the area, with The Zioneer noting earlier that the sheikh was allegedly involved.
Palestinian health officials reported that four Palestinians were killed in the incident, including the gunman, and four were wounded. The IDF has not commented on those figures. The gunman's affiliation beyond being a local resident remains unclear. The Zioneer's earlier coverage noted that the IDF was conducting a meticulous search for the weapon, which has now been recovered.
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