IDF Warr. Ofc. (Res.) Ofer Yung, 39, and Warr. Ofc. (Res.) Avraham Tzvi Tzvika Friedman, 43, were killed, and several were wounded in a Palestinian terror attack at an outpost near the village of Tayasir, north of the Jordan Valley on Tuesday.
The incident started around 6:00 a.m., though initial reviews suggest that the terrorist arrived in the area in the middle of the night, waiting for daybreak to attack.
When two of the soldiers were about to exit the outpost and opened the door to the outpost, the terrorist opened fire on both of them, killing one of them.
Next, the terrorist took up a position at the entrance and opened fire on the other nine soldiers inside the outpost.
The soldiers, though caught by surprise, started to return fire both from within the outpost as well as from the outpost watch tower.
Eventually, the terrorist started to retreat in order to try to flee.
However, the acting battalion commander arrived on the scene with additional forces and started to engage the terrorist from a new vector.
At a certain point, a soldier threw a grenade at the terrorist, wounding him and causing him to stop firing.
Later, the soldiers followed up with the terrorist and shot him to death from closer up.
During the gunfight, the IDF had a drone nearby ,providing some intelligence.
However, the terrorist had succeeded in getting to such close proximity to the IDF soldiers that the drone could not fire on him, lest it strike the soldiers as well.
Military officials have criticized the security conditions at the checkpoint and the troops' ability to protect themselves.
תיעוד רגעי הפיגוע בכפר תייסיר שבצפון השומרון@nurityohanan https://t.co/WRuaDESQO0 pic.twitter.com/1XApfFyiBn
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 4, 2025
Palestinian footage from the scene suggests the assailant advanced under cover of darkness from a built-up area, reached the checkpoint, and entered the compound before opening fire. Soldiers responded with gunfire.
The footage also shows shots fired at the pillbox, though it remains unclear whether they were from the assailant targeting the position or if he had already entered it and was being fired upon by IDF forces.
The attack comes amid intensified IDF counterterror operations in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin, Tubas, Tammun, Tulkarm, and Kabatiya, as part of Operation Iron Wall.
Just yesterday, the IDF reported over 100 arrests of wanted individuals and the elimination of approximately 50 terrorists. Additionally, dozens of weapons and explosive devices were confiscated, and 23 structures used for terrorist activities were demolished in Jenin.
Security officials stated that “the operation will continue as long as necessary,” as directed by the security cabinet. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as “a large-scale and significant military operation to eliminate terrorism in Jenin,” adding that it was “another step in achieving our goal—strengthening security in Judea and Samaria.”
He emphasized that Israel is systematically countering “the Iranian axis wherever it extends its reach—whether in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Judea and Samaria. And we will continue to do so.”
IDF reinforcements deployed to the West Bank
Amid rising security threats, the Judea and Samaria Division has been reinforced with special units and combat battalions to secure roads and settlements and carry out widespread arrests while also responding to violent riots.
Following the attack, the Yesha Council released a statement: “In this difficult hour, we wish to strengthen the IDF soldiers and their commanders. Our brave fighters’ relentless battle keeps the vile terrorists away from the homes of Israeli citizens and prevents scenes similar to October 7 from occurring in Afula and Netanya, God forbid."
“This morning’s attack once again proves that Arab terrorism seeks to harm the State of Israel and IDF soldiers. The Israeli government must decisively defeat Arab terrorism and declare the application of Israeli sovereignty to prevent the establishment of a terrorist state in the heart of the country," the statement concluded.