Palestinian terrorist shot after attempting to stab Israeli soldiers in Samaria
- In a confrontation at Gitai Avisar Junction, a female Palestinian threw stones at Israeli soldiers before attempting to stab them.
- IDF soldiers shot her during the attack, resulting in no injuries to Israeli civilians or security personnel.
- Yossi Dagan blamed the attack on incitement from the Palestinian Authority, calling for tougher government actions.
On April 7, 2025, a violent confrontation occurred at the Gitai Avisar Junction in central Samaria, where a female Palestinian individual engaged in hostile actions against Israeli soldiers. The incident began when she hurled stones at passing Israeli vehicles, which prompted soldiers from the IDF's Efraim Brigade to respond and apprehend her. As the soldiers approached to arrest her, she brandished a knife and charged at them, leading to their defensive actions that resulted in her fatal shooting. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among Israeli civilians or security forces during the altercation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the soldiers neutralized a terrorist attempting to stab them near the junction. Following the incident, Yossi Dagan, the chairman of the Samaria Regional Council, attributed the attack to the ongoing incitement against Israel by the Palestinian Authority, urging the government to take more robust measures, including demolishing the terrorist's house and stopping foreign funding linked to incitement efforts. Furthermore, the a significant rise in hostile encounters against Israeli Jews in the Judea and Samaria regions has been reported, with Palestinian terrorists recorded as having targeted them over 6,343 times in 2024 alone, including thousands of stone-throwing incidents. This surge in attacks is indicative of broader tensions and security challenges that have plagued the area for some time, with various incidents contributing to a climate of fear among the local population. In the context of several recent deadly attacks in this region, including the murders of four Israelis in Huwara in 2023, the event serves as a stark reminder of the continuing cycle of violence. Amid these rising threats, Israeli forces have taken action against Palestinian individuals engaged in rock-throwing and other forms of aggression. Just before the incident at Gitai Avisar, three Palestinian suspects were arrested in the central Samaria region for throwing stones at an Israeli vehicle, causing damage but thankfully resulting in no casualties. As violence continues to escalate, Israeli authorities face increasing pressure to address both security concerns and the underlying causes of such conflicts to restore peace to the volatile region.