One killed, four wounded, after Palestinian steals gun, shoots hikers - The Jerusalem Post

What the report says

The Jerusalem Post reported that two Israelis were killed and several others wounded Friday morning in a shooting near Gilad Farm, an Israeli settlement southwest of Nablus in the northern West Bank. The dead were identified as 32-year-old Benayahu Melet, a member of Gilad Farm’s emergency response squad who had gone to help hikers, and 27-year-old Maj. Yuval Ezra, an artillery battery commander. Israeli rescue groups reported additional casualties ranging from minor to critical injuries, with some evacuated to Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital.

According to the IDF account cited by the Post, Israeli civilians had illegally entered Palestinian Authority-controlled territory while hiking, were confronted by Palestinians, and came under stone-throwing before a Palestinian opened fire. The report, citing Walla and a witness from the hiking group, said a weapon was taken from an emergency response squad member and used against Israelis. The IDF said forces later found and killed the suspected shooter and recovered the weapon.

The Post also included a competing account from Essam Saifi, a local Fatah figure who spoke to Reuters, saying Israeli settlers had entered the area, attacked residents and tried to enter homes, and that residents confronted them before shooting broke out. The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry said at least four Palestinians were killed and four others wounded, including three critically.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir discussed responses. The Post reported orders including demolishing the attacker’s home, increasing West Bank deployments and checkpoints, and accelerating regulation of farms, amid heightened tensions and recent attacks in the area.