IDF soldiers at the scene of the Tayasir incident in the Jordan Valley, 04.02.2025. Photo: IDF
On Tuesday morning, a terrorist arrived at a military post at the Tayasir checkpoint, southeast of Jenin in Samaria, and opened fire on Israeli soldiers, wounding eight, of whom two later succumbed to their wounds.
Two of the wounded were initially reported to be in critical condition, two in moderate condition, and four with light injuries.
Israel Defense Forces later stated that the two soldiers killed in the attack were reservists. They were identified as: Sergeant Ofer Yung (39) from Tel Aviv, a squad commander in the Ephraim Regional Brigade’s 8211th Reserve Battalion, and Staff Sergeant Avraham Zvi (Zvika) Friedman (43) from Ein HaNetziv.
Furthermore, the IDF said that two of the wounded are still in serious condition.
A report from the IDF Spokesperson’s Office stated: “A terrorist fired at soldiers at a military post in the area of Tayasir. The soldiers eliminated the terrorist during exchanges of fire.”
Video on social media showed an army helicopter evacuating the wounded soldiers.
A report on Israeli Army Radio provided some initial details about the shooting at the Tayasir checkpoint on a road to the Jordan Valley.
According to that report, the gunman had managed to infiltrate the military complex where the soldiers were located and began to attack. The small post contains a fortified watchtower and a number of smaller buildings where the soldiers are located.
Once inside the complex, the gunman began shooting and a firefight broke out between the terrorist and the Israeli forces. After several minutes, the soldiers were able to eliminate him. The terrorist was reportedly wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
Army Radio stated than an Air Force drone was operating in the vicinity, but that the IDF apparently decided not to use it to target the terrorist due to his proximity to the IDF soldiers.
The shooting attack comes amid a large-scale security operation in the area of Judea and Samaria (internationally known as the West Bank). The operation, named Operation Iron Wall, has been ongoing for two weeks.
The operation has involved Israeli security forces in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tammun, resulting in the killing of at least 50 terrorists, the detention of over 100 wanted suspects, the confiscation of weapons, and the destruction of IEDs and makeshift weapons laboratories.
The IDF also released footage of combat engineering units demolishing several buildings, employing a strategy similar to tactics used in Gaza.
Shai Igner, a Magen David Adom Jordan Valley rescue driver told Channel 12 news, “I arrived at the scene of the attack and heard more gunfire on the spot, as soon as the shooting stopped, I gave first aid to the wounded, and later more teams arrived.”
The two critically wounded soldiers were reportedly taken to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, while another four were taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah.
The head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, David Elhayani, told Israel Hayom: “This morning we need to strengthen the hands of the soldiers who are on the front lines of the war on terror and on all fronts, preventing terrorists from harming and murdering Jews. We also need to strengthen the hand of the Commander-in-Chief. We all have to stand with the IDF soldiers and give them all our support, and say thank you to them.”
Elhayani also criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA) for what he said was a failed counter-terror operation in Samaria a few weeks ago.
“A few weeks ago, the Palestinian Authority tried to carry out an operation in Jenin, but they left in disgrace – this only indicates that the PA is no longer relevant. We must take full responsibility for all of Judea and Samaria and not rely on the PA.”
