President Isaac Herzog on Thursday spoke with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan following today's terror attacks in Samaria, the President's office said. Herzog expressed deep shock, wished a speedy recovery to Itamar Cohen, who was seriously wounded in the attack, and said he hopes security forces will swiftly bring the terrorists to justice. Dagan responded that the settlement in Samaria is strong and will not be broken.
President Isaac Herzog spoke with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan on Thursday afternoon, expressing deep shock at the day's terror attacks in Samaria and wishing a speedy recovery to Itamar Cohen, who was seriously wounded in the attacks, according to a statement from the President's office. The call came hours after a series of attacks unfolded in the region around midday, with the timeline of events emerging through successive reports.
The attacks began around 12:25 Jerusalem, when Palestinian assailants set a fire near the Avraham Farm in Samaria. An Israeli civilian, later identified as 51-year-old Itamar Cohen, arrived to extinguish the blaze and was stabbed in the upper body. The two assailants were shot and killed at the scene, though initial reports did not identify who fired the shots (IDF, 12:25 Jerusalem). Within the same hour, security forces arrived and the IDF encircled the nearby village of Beit Furik (12:25 Jerusalem). Samaria Council head Yossi Dagan visited the scene, calling the incident a 'severe terror attack' and blaming the Palestinian Authority and terror groups for incitement (12:25 Jerusalem). By 14:53 Jerusalem, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that Cohen charged at the terrorists, eliminated them, and saved many lives, as The Zioneer reported.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Dagan's role as a prominent advocate for Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, including his presentation of a plan for 18 new settlements in northern Samaria at a Washington conference (Jun 9 2026). The attacks occurred on Tisha B'Av, a fast day, as noted in initial reports. It remains unclear who shot the assailants, and the IDF has not provided further details on the operational sequence. Cohen's condition has not been updated since his evacuation in serious condition.
15 developments
- StrongMinister Ben Gvir wishes speedy recovery to Itamar Cohen, who killed terrorists in Judea and Samaria attack
- DevelopingSamaria council head Yossi Dagan visits wounded Itamar Cohen, pledges to establish new settlement near attack site
- DevelopingWounded IDF soldier's Tisha B'Av reflection: 'Before all disputes, we are brothers'
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom journalist Ariel Kahana demands apology from 'Mr. Cohen' over October 7
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