At least three people sustained injuries following a dual terrorist assault in Gush Etzion on Friday night.
The first incident took place around 11:35 p.m., when a vehicle detonated at a gas station located at the Gush Etzion Junction. Following the blast, a terrorist emerged from the vehicle and attempted to attack the security personnel who responded to the scene. The assailant was neutralized, and two individuals were injured.
Just moments later, a second terrorist arrived at the entrance of Carmei Tzur in another vehicle, where he attempted to run over the security guard stationed at the community’s entrance, inflicting minor injuries. Security forces who were summoned to the scene managed to eliminate the terrorist. Extensive searches are now underway in Carmei Tzur due to fears that another terrorist might still be in the area. Residents of the community have been instructed to remain indoors.
The vehicle used by the terrorist in Carmei Tzur was also equipped with an explosive device, which detonated and set the car ablaze.
In a statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported that “over the past hour, two security incidents occurred in the area of the Etzion Regional Brigade.”
“Approximately an hour ago, a vehicle caught fire and exploded in a gas station at the Gush Etzion Junction. IDF soldiers who were dispatched to the scene opened fire and eliminated the terrorist who exited the vehicle and attempted to attack them. Security forces are conducting scans in the area to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists.”
“In an additional incident, terrorists attempted to ram a security guard at the entrance to the Carmei Tzur community a short while ago and infiltrated the community. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and a terrorist was neutralized. Security forces are conducting scans to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists in the area. The incident is still developing.”
The statement further mentioned that IDF, Israel Police, and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) forces have been deployed to the area, conducting wide-scale searches and blocking off routes.
“At this moment, it cannot be determined if the incidents are related. A number of injuries have been reported. The details are still under review,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated.
According to Magen David Adom, two individuals were injured in the attack near the gas station at the Gush Etzion Junction. One, a 24-year-old man, is in moderate condition, while the other, a 34-year-old man, sustained light injuries. Both were transported by paramedics to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Yerushalayim.
In the second attack in Carmei Tzur, MDA reported that a 28-year-old man was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim with light injuries after being struck by the terrorist’s vehicle. Both terrorists were neutralized.
