The suspected shooter from the kedumim terror attack (video snippet)

Three Israelis Killed in Terror Attack, IDF Vows Response

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The Judean Staff
National

In a horrific escalation of violence, two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s were brutally murdered on Monday morning in a targeted terror attack near Kedumim, in northern Samaria. The perpetrators unleashed a hail of gunfire from a passing vehicle, targeting a bus and civilian Israeli cars in an act of cold-blooded violence.

The attackers managed to flee the scene, leaving behind a trail of devastation and heartbreak.

The Tragic Toll of Innocent Lives

Emergency medical teams arrived swiftly, but tragically pronounced three victims dead at the scene. Among the injured were eight others, including a 63-year-old man who sustained life-threatening injuries, a woman in her 60s in moderate condition, and five others with mild injuries. The severely wounded man was later identified as Israel Police Staff-Sergeant Major Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, a dedicated officer whose life was senselessly cut short.

The murdered women were traveling in one of the vehicles targeted by the gunmen, while the slain man, driving his car, reportedly deviated from his route in an attempt to escape the unfolding chaos. They were identified as Alize Rice and Rachel Cohen and were sisters-in-law.

A Chilling Claim of Responsibility

A shadowy terror organization calling itself "Galilee Forces - Lone Wolves" claimed responsibility for the attack. Their statement, widely circulated on social media and embraced by Hamas, hailed the carnage as a victory in their so-called "resistance" campaign.

"Resistance in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) continues despite the occupation's repression and intensification of security measures," the group declared. They also released a propaganda video titled "How the Operation in Kfar Funduk Was Carried Out," showcasing the detailed planning and preparation that went into the deadly assault.

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida doubled down on the incitement, glorifying the attack and issuing thinly veiled threats. "The heroes of the West Bank prove again that they are at the heart of the 'Battle of Al-Aqsa.' The enemy must know that as long as he continues his slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank, he will pay a heavy price in the blood of his soldiers. Security will remain elusive for the occupation until our people achieve it."

Response from Israeli Authorities

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack in the strongest terms, offering his condolences to the bereaved families. "We will reach the despicable murderers and settle accounts with them and anyone who assisted them," Netanyahu vowed in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). "No one will go unpunished."

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also pledged decisive action, instructing the IDF to strike at all terror infrastructure linked to the perpetrators. "We will not tolerate a Gaza-like reality in Judea and Samaria," Gallant declared, signaling a hardened Israeli stance against the growing threat posed by Palestinian terror networks.

Medical Teams Battle to Save Lives

First responders from Magen David Adom worked tirelessly to stabilize and evacuate the wounded. The injured were transported to leading medical centers, including Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva and Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. Paramedics described the scene as one of "indescribable carnage," with bullet-ridden vehicles and traumatized survivors recounting the harrowing moments of the attack.

IDF Identifies Terrorist Links

The Israeli military confirmed that the terrorists were members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), originating from Jenin, a hotbed of militant activity. The IDF has since launched a sweeping manhunt in coordination with Israelโ€™s security forces, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A Nation in Mourning

This brazen attack has sent shockwaves through Israel, uniting the nation in grief and outrage. As families mourn their loved ones, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver a decisive response to stem the tide of terror emanating from Palestinian areas in Judea and Samaria.

The heinous act serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security threats facing Israel, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance and swift action against those who seek to destabilize the region.

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