Israeli paratroopers shot and killed a Palestinian Authority Arab terrorist Saturday night after he hurled a deadly firebomb at an Israeli motorist traveling in Samaria.
After a brief manhunt the forces shot and captured the second terrorist who also had been targeting Israeli motorists on the same road; he suffered a leg wound. That attacker was hurling firebombs at passing vehicles as well.
The IDF force set out to hunt down the third terrorist as well, who also was attacking passing Israeli vehicles on the road, located near the Jewish community of Yitzhar.
The IDF emphasized to media in its statement that the soldiers were operating according to the rules of engagement.
“I want to bless the soldiers who responded appropriately to the terrorist this evening,” praised Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika. “Unfortunately we already know the awful results that can occur from rocks and firebombs hurled in the name of terror. Still, we must strengthen the soldiers who deal day to day with the enemy and, as we have seen tonight, not hesitate to respond.
“It is crucial that every terrorist know that the moment he intends to throw a rock or a firebomb at an Israeli soldier or an Israeli citizens, his fate is in his own hands.”
Israeli vehicles that travel between the Jewish community of Kedumim and the PA Arab village of Burin are at extremely high risk because the road has become tantamount to a rock-throwing and firebomb field for Arab terrorists in the area.
Since a young girl was critically injured in a terror attack on the road more than a month ago, however, Israeli security forces are taking the matter more seriously and have begun to intensify their protection of motorists in the area. The child and her father were both burned – the little girl nearly died – when their car was struck by a firebomb hurled by Arab road terrorists.