Two IDF soldiers in the Kfir Brigade were killed in a ramming attack by a Palestinian terrorist in Nablus in the West Bank, the IDF announced on Thursday, adding that the terrorist was being held by the Palestinian Authority who had yet not handed him to the IDF. Another soldier fell in battle in the Gaza Strip.
The three soldiers were identified as 20-year-old St.-Sgt. Eliya Hilel from Tel Zion and 20-year-old St.-Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj from Tel Aviv, and 21-year-old Revava resident Sgt. Yedidya Azugi of the Paratroopers' 101st Battalion. The former two were killed in the Nablus ramming attack, while the latter was killed in combat in northern Gaza.
The Palestinian terrorist who carried out the ramming attack in Nablus fled the scene but later turned himself into the Palestinian Authority, Israeli media reported.
The Palestinian Authority has not yet handed the terrorist over to the IDF.
The two soldiers had been checking another Palestinian vehicle at a checkpoint when the terrorist rammed them.
Situational assessment
It was later reported that IDF soldiers were carrying out operational activities in Nablus and Ramallah.
The Chief of the General Staff conducted an initial inquiry and situational assessment at the scene of the ramming attack in Samaria where two soldiers were killed last night
The Chief of IDF General Staff, Herzi Halevi, arrived at the scene of the ramming attack where the two soldiers were killed to carry out a situational assessment. He was joined by Yehuda Fox Commanding Officer of the Central Command
Tributes for the fallen IDF soldiers
The Binyamin Regional Council said that Hilel studied at Yeshiva. Three months ago he was injured by shrapnel while fighting in Gaza but returned to operational activity.
The head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, paid tribute to Azugi: "He was loved by all those around him, with a broad smile and a big heart, a leader and a leader among his friends.
"We will walk in the path of heroes who fell for the defense of the people and the homeland, may his memory be a blessing."
"Tonight, we see once again how the enemy in the West Bank seeks our destruction everywhere – in Samaria and Bat Hefer," said Yesha Council head Israel Ganz in response to the attack, Walla reported.
He called on the government and IDF to take action on the ground against terrorists and those who support them.