Full Breakdown
Deadly Shooting Near Havat Gilad Escalates West Bank Tensions
7/27/2026, 10:42:08 PM
The Incident
On a Friday morning in the northern West Bank, Israeli hikers entered the vicinity of the village of Tal (also reported as Tell). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Palestinians approached, threw stones, seized a guard’s rifle and opened fire, killing two Israelis: Benayahu Mellet, 32, and Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27. The attacker was killed and the weapon recovered. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported four Palestinian cousins—Farouk, Ibrahim, Jawad and Imran Ramadan—were also killed, with four others wounded, three critically. Israeli sources added six additional Israelis were injured.
Background & Context
Violence in the occupied West Bank has risen sharply since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, a surge noted by the BBC. The Havat Gilad incident follows recent attacks in Judea and Samaria, including a weapon-theft assault near Susya and multiple stabbings.
Data & Statistics
- Israeli fatalities: Benayahu Mellet, 32; Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27.
- Palestinian fatalities: Farouk, Ibrahim, Jawad and Imran Ramadan.
- Injured: four Palestinians (three critical) and six Israelis.
Official Statements & Responses
Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth called the situation in Judea and Samaria “tense” and said the military was conducting “counter-terrorism operations” to prevent further escalation.
Criticism & Opposition
Walid Zidan, head of the Tel village council, condemned the presence of settlers, stating: “Villagers came out to defend their homes and property. Clashes and physical altercations broke out between the residents and the settlers.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The IDF maintains Palestinians initiated the violence by stealing a rifle and firing on the hikers. Palestinian officials, including Fatah representative Essam Saifi, claim dozens of Israeli settlers entered the village, attacked residents and opened fire before Israeli forces arrived. Video footage released by local media shows a chaotic scene with both sides exchanging gunfire, but independent verification of the exact sequence remains lacking.
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
- “The soldiers and other forces then worked to remove everyone involved, some of whom were children.” — The IDF
- “The terrorist was eliminated immediately after carrying out the attack, and IDF troops recovered the stolen weapon.” — Palestinian Health Ministry
What’s Next
Security forces have imposed a closure on Tal and curfews on nearby Nablus, while reinforcing troops along Highway 60. No further dates for additional operations have been disclosed.
