The IDF confirmed the identity of Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, a battery commander in the 411th Battalion, as one of two soldiers killed in this morning's terror attack near the village of Tell. The military stated the assailant seized an assault rifle from a civilian security officer before opening fire.
The IDF confirmed at 15:51 Jerusalem that Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, a battery commander in the 411th Battalion, was the second soldier killed in this morning's terror attack near the village of Tell. The military stated that the assailant seized an assault rifle from a civilian security officer before opening fire. The attack also claimed the life of Master Sgt. (res.) Benayahu Mellet, 32.
The Zioneer first reported at 13:40 Jerusalem that a senior IDF official confirmed four terrorists were eliminated and a broad military operation was underway. By 13:41, the IDF ordered all Central Command soldiers to remain on base. At 14:14, The Zioneer reported that a counter-terror operation had begun in Tell. The IDF cleared the name of Maj. Ezra at 15:51, and subsequent reports identified him as a company commander in the Artillery Corps.
The incident began during an unauthorized hike by Israeli civilians, according to the IDF. The assailant, described as an Arab terrorist, snatched the weapon from a security officer and began shooting. Four assailants were neutralized in the exchange. The IDF has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the weapon seizure. The Zioneer reported earlier that Samaria Council head Yossi Dagan called for an operation against the village of Tell.
The identity of the security officer and the full sequence of events remain under review. Funerals for the fallen soldiers are expected later today.
5 developments
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