The Israeli military has ordered all soldiers in the Central Command to remain on base and is preparing a large-scale counterterrorism operation, following this morning's attack near the village of Tell in Judea and Samaria, according to reports. Footage circulating on social media appears to show Arab assailants attacking a group of Jewish hikers, snatching a soldier's weapon during the assault. One Israeli was killed and four assailants were neutralized, sources say.
The IDF has ordered all soldiers assigned to the Central Command to remain on their bases, the latest escalation in a rapidly intensifying military response to Friday morning's deadly attack near the village of Tell in Judea and Samaria. The directive, reported at 13:40 Jerusalem, comes after the military had already halted troop leave, imposed a curfew on exits, and deployed reinforcements across the sector. The new order expands the lockdown to cover all Central Command personnel, signaling preparations for a large-scale counterterrorism operation.
Friday's attack unfolded at approximately 09:25, when Arab assailants attacked a group of Jewish hikers near Tell, snatching a soldier's weapon and opening fire. The Zioneer reported at 09:25 that MDA confirmed the death of 32-year-old Benayahu Mellet at the scene; four assailants were neutralized. By 13:13, the IDF announced a halt to soldiers' leave and a curfew on exits, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convening security chiefs amid fears of copycat violence. The curfew was rapidly expanded to cover the entire Judea and Samaria sector, and at 13:26 the IDF deployed additional forces ahead of Mellet's funeral, citing high tensions and online incitement. At 13:36, a curfew was imposed on exits in the Samaria Brigade area. The new order for all Central Command soldiers to remain on base, reported at 13:40, caps this sequence of escalating measures.
As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, the IDF has been conducting a large-scale counterterrorism operation in Tubas and Beit Furik, and over the past week more than 80 wanted suspects have been arrested across Judea and Samaria. The security assessment convened by Netanyahu included the IDF chief, Shin Bet director, Military Intelligence chief, and National Security Council head, reflecting concerns about further attacks and retaliatory violence. The funeral of Mellet is being held under heavy security.
Further details on the scope and timeline of the planned operation remain pending. The Zioneer will continue to track developments.
12 developments
- StrongIDF launches counter-terror operation in Tell near site of morning attack
- DevelopingIDF strikes targets in Gaza overnight, operatives killed and wounded
- ConfirmedIDF prepares for incoming fire after Beirut strike, says Chief of Staff at the helm
- StrongIDF confirms large-scale operation in Tubas and Beit Furik, enters homes of terrorists who wounded two Israelis
Source and signal
- Open-source intake