IDF Soldier Injured in Car-Ramming Attack Near Ariel; Two Assailants Killed

A soldier from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was lightly injured in a car-ramming attack near the settlement of Ariel in the West Bank on Sunday, according to a military statement.

The attack, one of several incidents reported in the region that day, resulted in the deaths of the two Palestinian assailants involved.

The IDF reported that the attackers, who arrived in a vehicle from the Tapuah Junction, drove against oncoming traffic toward Ariel.

During their drive, they collided with several cars before attempting to ram into IDF soldiers stationed in the area. In response, the soldiers opened fire, killing the assailants.

In the vehicle used in the attack, IDF troops discovered a military vest and several assault rifle magazines, suggesting the attackers were heavily armed.

Later in the evening, an explosive device detonated on a civilian bus near the Palestinian village of Marah Rabah, located south of Bethlehem.

Although the explosion caused significant damage to the bus, there were no reported injuries. The IDF established roadblocks in the area and launched a search operation for those responsible for the incident.

Earlier in the day, another attack occurred when a Palestinian gunman fired upon an army post from the Jenin area. The assailant was shot dead by IDF troops, and a search was initiated for a second armed suspect believed to have been involved in the shooting.

These attacks come amid heightened tensions in the West Bank following a major escalation on October 7, when Hamas-led terrorists breached the Gaza border and launched an attack on Israel. The assault resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.

Since the October 7 attack, the IDF has conducted extensive operations in the West Bank, arresting around 4,850 Palestinians, including over 1,960 with known affiliations to Hamas.

The Palestinian Authority’s health ministry reports that more than 630 Palestinians have been killed during this period. The IDF claims that the majority of these deaths were of gunmen in combat situations, rioters, or terrorists involved in attacks.

In the same timeframe, terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank have resulted in 27 fatalities, including Israeli security personnel. Additionally, five security force members have died in clashes with terror operatives in the West Bank.

The situation remains volatile as the IDF continues to address the escalating violence in the region, with ongoing searches and security measures aimed at preventing further attacks and ensuring the safety of civilians and military personnel alike.