8 Israeli soldiers wounded, terrorist killed in shooting attack at military compound in Samaria

On Tuesday morning, a terrorist arrived at a military post at the Tayasir checkpoint, southeast of Jenin in Samaria, and opened fire on soldiers, injuring at least eight.

Among the wounded, two are reported to be in critical condition, two in moderate condition, and four with light injuries.

A report by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson said "a terrorist fired at soldiers at a military post in the area of Tayasir. The soldiers eliminated the terrorist during exchanges of fire.” 

Video on social media showed an army helicopter evacuating the wounded soldiers. 

A report on Israeli Army Radio gave some initial details about the shooting at the Tayasir checkpoint on a road to the Jordan Valley. 

According to that report, the gunman managed to infiltrate the military complex where the soldiers were located and began to attack. The small post contains a fortified watchtower and a number of smaller buildings where the soldiers are located. 

Once inside the complex, the gunman began shooting, and a firefight broke out between the terrorist and the forces. After several minutes, the soldiers were able to eliminate him. Reportedly, the terrorist was wearing a bullet resistant vest. 

The Army Radio report said an Air Force drone was operating in the vicinity, but the army apparently decided not to use it to target the terrorist due to his proximity to the IDF soldiers. 

The shooting attack comes amid a large-scale security operation in the Palestinian Territories, the area of Judea and Samaria (internationally known as the West Bank). The operation, named Operation Iron Wall, has been ongoing for two weeks.

That operation has seen Israeli security forces operating in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tammun, kiling at least 50 terrorists, detaining over 100 wanted suspects, as well as confiscating weapons, and destroying IEDs and makeshift weapons laboratories. 

The IDF also released footage of several buildings being destroyed by combat engineering units, in a move reminiscent of tactics used in Gaza. 

Shai Igner, a Magen David Adom Jordan Valley rescue driver who arrived first at the scene, told Channel 12 news, "I arrived at the scene of the attack and heard more gunfire on the spot, as soon as the shooting stopped, I gave first aid to the wounded, and later more teams arrived.” 

The two critically wounded soldiers were reportedly taken to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, while another four were taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah. 

The head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, David Elhayani, told Israel Hayom: “This morning we need to strengthen the hands of the soldiers who are on the front lines of the war on terror and on all fronts, preventing terrorists from harming and murdering Jews. We also need to strengthen the hand of the Commander-in-Chief. We all have to stand with the IDF soldiers and give them all our support, and say thank you to them.” 

Elhayani also criticized the Palestinian Authority for what he said was a failed counter terror operation in Samaria a few weeks ago. 

“A few weeks ago, the Palestinian Authority tried to carry out an operation in Jenin, but they left in disgrace – this only indicates that the PA is no longer relevant. We must take full responsibility for all of Judea and Samaria and not rely on the PA.”