Full Breakdown
Stabbing Attack and Arson Near Elon Moreh, West Bank
7/24/2026, 11:16:10 AM
Event Details
On July 23, 2026, 51-year-old Israeli farmer Itamar Cohen was seriously wounded during a stabbing attack at the Derech Avraham Farm near the West Bank settlement of Elon Moreh. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), two Palestinian attackers stabbed Cohen in the chest while he attempted to extinguish a fire that had been deliberately set by residents of the nearby village of Beit Furik. Cohen was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital for further treatment. The IDF and Israeli police killed both attackers at the scene and subsequently cordoned off Beit Furik.
Official Responses
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the incident underscores Israel’s commitment to combating terrorism, protecting citizens, and reinforcing settlement security in the West Bank. Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan expressed expectation that the government would “crush terrorism” and noted a pattern of arson and attempted attacks in the area. Both officials communicated directly with Cohen and his family, offering support and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Investigation Findings
Israel Fire and Rescue Services investigators, working with the Israel Police Judea and Samaria District and the IDF’s Samaria Brigade, confirmed that the fire at the farm had been deliberately set. The investigation team examined the scene and coordinated with police to determine the circumstances surrounding the arson. The IDF also restricted movement around Beit Furik as part of the ongoing security response.
Implications for West Bank Security
The attack adds to a series of violent incidents reported in the West Bank during the same week, including a separate stabbing in the Ganim area and the demolition of a Palestinian agricultural facility in Rafat on July 22, 2026. Israeli officials cite the events as evidence of escalating hostility and justify heightened security measures, while local Palestinian residents attribute the violence to broader tensions over settlement expansion and restrictions. The coordinated response by the IDF, police, and fire services illustrates the multi-agency approach Israel employs to address combined arson-terror incidents in the contested territory.
