Full Breakdown
Deadly West Bank Clash Near Nablus Sparks Counter-terror Operation
7/24/2026, 11:23:12 PM
Core Event
On July 24, a shooting erupted in the Palestinian village of Tell (also reported as Tal), southwest of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. Health officials confirmed four Palestinians were killed and four wounded, three in critical condition. Israeli sources reported the death of Benayahu Mellet, 32, a member of the Havat Gilad alert squad, and later identified a second Israeli soldier, Yuval Ezra, as also killed. The incident triggered a large-scale Israeli military response, including roadblocks, a curfew around Nablus and the deployment of additional troops.
Background & Context
Violence in the West Bank has surged since the October 7 2023 war in Gaza, with frequent attacks by settlers on Palestinian villages and retaliatory Israeli security operations. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are deemed illegal under international law, a status reiterated by the United Nations and most governments. The area surrounding Nablus has been a flashpoint for confrontations for months.
Data & Statistics
- Palestinian casualties: 4 dead, 4 injured (3 critical) – Palestinian Health Ministry.
- Israeli casualties: 1 civilian (Benayahu Mellet) confirmed dead; a second Israeli soldier later reported killed – Israeli military and Magen David Adom.
- Year-to-date toll: 87 Palestinians killed in the West Bank in 2026, including 21 by settlers; about 850 wounded – United Nations.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz called for “forceful steps” against terrorism, including demolition of the attacker’s home and revocation of work permits in the village. The Israeli military announced “extensive counter-terrorism operational activity,” cancelled soldiers’ leave and deployed additional companies to the area.
Major General Avi Bluth, head of the Israel Defense Forces’ Central Command, said the operations aim to prevent further escalation throughout Judea and Samaria.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as a “massacre” carried out by settlers in coordination with occupation forces and urged international sanctions against settlement activities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty numbers: Israeli outlets report one civilian death, while other sources cite a second Israeli soldier killed, creating uncertainty about the total Israeli fatality count.
- Sequence of events: Palestinian witnesses assert that settlers entered the village first and opened fire. The Israeli military contends that a Palestinian seized a security guard’s weapon, shot the hikers, and was then killed by soldiers.
- Identity of the Palestinian killed: The Israeli army described the deceased as a “terrorist,” whereas the Palestinian Health Ministry attributes all four Palestinian deaths to Israeli fire, leaving the shooter’s status ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Villagers came out to defend their homes and property. Clashes and physical altercations broke out between the residents and the settlers,” — Walid Zidan, head of Tel village council
- “We will act strongly against terrorists and their proxies, and we will not allow terrorism in Judea and Samaria to raise its head,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister
What’s Next
The IDF announced the continuation of “extensive counter-terrorism operational activity” in the Nablus sector, including reinforcement of checkpoints, demolition of the alleged attacker’s home and the legalisation of additional settlement farms. Soldiers’ leave remains cancelled while the military maintains a heightened alert posture across the northern West Bank.
