The following has been cleared for publication by the Israel Defense Forces spokesman: Bar Pelach, an IDF officer with the Nahal Brigade, was killed last night in the exchange of fire near the Jalma crossing north of Jenin. His family has been notified. May his memory be a blessing.
A preliminary investigation by the IDF revealed that the two suspects were identified 15 meters from the borderline a few hours before the incident. The suspects were not identified as having been armed initially and therefore were not confronted until the patrol confronted them.
Due to the shootings, the roads around Jalma crossing were closed to vehicle traffic this morning. Forces have been deployed in the area and are preventing civilians and soldiers from reaching the roads near the fence. The crossing, adjacent to the Gilboa hills, is mostly used by Palestinians working in the Afula area. Israeli citizens who are Jewish are not permitted to enter the area however, Arab-Israelis do go through it to visit family in the Northern West Bank. The area is one of the most dangerous parts of the West Bank, with Jenin being an area of growing concern for the IDF.
An IDF soldier was killed after two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on soldiers near the village of Jalamah. IDF forces shot and killed the two gunman.
ā Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) September 14, 2022
The soldier has not been ID'ed as of yet. pic.twitter.com/i1SbByINj4
Chief-of-Staff Aviv Kochavi said this morning that "Unfortunately, last night we lost an IDF officer in an operational activity against Palestinian terrorist operatives. I share in the sorrow of the officer's family and spouse, strengthen and hug them."
The commander of the Judea and Samaria division, Lt. Col. Avi Belot, commented this morning on the night incident and said that "at 11:39 p.m. a military observer of Hetmar Menashe spotted two suspects near the fence near the village of Jalma, north of the crossing itself. She spotted them approaching 15 meters from the borderline fence and lying down on an embankment near a military position," said the officer. The observer alerted combat forces in the area to the point "with a full grasp of the area". Warning shots were fired and measures were also used to disperse demonstrations that were forming near the location.
Just heartbreaking š¢
ā Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) September 14, 2022
The @IDF soldier killed today, during shoot-out with Palestinian terrorists near Jenin, has been named as Maj. Bar Pelach, from the Nahal Brigade. Bar was 30 years old, from Netanya. May his memory and courage always be blessed! pic.twitter.com/FEawVcXBiy
Brigadier General Belot noted that "the fighters remained in position behind protection and at the same time another force entered from the Palestinian territory, to flank the suspects."
Belot added that "the two terrorists were armed with automatic weapons, one of them of an improvised design and the other with a 9 mm modified weapon. The force stormed back and killed the two terrorists, thus preventing an attack and it is very possible that it was an ambush on a patrol that had to pass through the point."
Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet!
ā Documenting Israel (@israelmuse) September 14, 2022
Last night an IDF combat soldier, named Major Bar Falach, was killed by 2 terrorists who shot him near Jenin.
Both terrorists were killed and the Fatah party are mourning their "martyrs". peace partners?
May his memory be a blessing! pic.twitter.com/r053TsZM7X
From the way it is currently being described by the superior commanders and other key witnesses, the fallen officer acted in bravery to prevent potentially a far deadlier attack.
