Shepherd Shot in Head During Suspected Terror Attack Near Ramallah

A young shepherd was wounded Thursday morning in a suspected terror attack in the Malachi Hashalom area, northeast of Ramallah, after being shot in the head while grazing cattle.

According to initial reports, the shooting targeted two shepherds who were grazing cows near the settlement when a masked assailant, lying in wait among the trees, fired at least two shots. One of the bullets struck a 20-year-old shepherd in the head.

Despite the grave nature of the attack, the victim’s injuries were reported as mild. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics arrived quickly at the scene and provided urgent medical care before evacuating the wounded man to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem.

“The incident could’ve ended much differently,” a senior MDA medic told Israeli news outlet Walla, emphasizing the potential for further casualties had the gunfire struck elsewhere.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the incident is under investigation and that searches are underway in the surrounding area to locate the suspected shooter. Security forces have increased patrols in the vicinity, fearing additional attempts to target civilians in rural communities.

Images shared from the scene showed a bullet recovered from the attack site, believed to have been used in the shooting. The find has been taken for forensic analysis to aid in the investigation.

Pattern of Attacks

Thursday’s shooting is the latest in a string of attempted and carried-out terror attacks across the West Bank in recent weeks. Just a week earlier, Border Police arrested a Gazan man in his 20s at the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, on suspicion of planning an attack.

Last month, the IDF thwarted two attempted attacks in the southern West Bank. In one incident, a soldier opened fire on a terrorist armed with a knife who tried to carry out a stabbing near the Shim’a community.

In another, a guard at Migdal Oz shot and killed an attacker who approached the security post, first armed with a knife and later throwing stones.

Heightened Security Concerns

Thursday’s shooting underscores the rising security tensions in the West Bank, particularly in rural and agricultural zones where shepherds and farmers often work in isolated areas. These communities are frequently viewed as vulnerable targets by attackers.

The IDF has reassured local residents that comprehensive search operations are underway and urged vigilance among civilians living near Ramallah and throughout the West Bank. Meanwhile, political leaders are monitoring the situation, as the attack comes amid already heightened friction between Israelis and Palestinians in the region.

As the wounded shepherd recovers in hospital, the focus remains on tracking down the masked gunman responsible for the attack and preventing further violence.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members