One Israeli was killed and a two were seriously wounded Sunday morning in a combined shooting-stabbing terrorist attack on Highway 5 near Ariel Junction.
According to Israel Radio, a Palestinian man exited one of the stores at Ariel Junction, stabbed an IDF soldier, and stole his gun. He used the soldier's gun to shoot him. The attacker then opened fire at passing cars, hitting and wounding one occupant.
One driver abandoned his vehicle. The terrorist jumped into the car and drove in the direction of Gitai-Avissar Junction, some 10 kilometers (6 miles) away, where he opened fire at a bus stop, wounding a third Israeli.
Magen David Adom received the first report of the attack at 9:45. Paramedics scrambled to the scene and began treating the three wounded. The two wounded were evacuated to Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva. One was listed in critical condition with a head wound and the second with a serious wound to his abdomen.
MDA paramedic Daniel Weissberg said, "When we got to Ariel Junction, we were led to a 46-year-old man who had been shot in the upper body. He was unconscious. We administered first aid, which included putting him under and attaching him to a respirator, and evacuated him to the hospital in serious but stable condition."
Paramedic Aviel Mamila said that from Ariel Junction, they were directed to Gitai-Avissar, where he saw "a young guy in his 20s, half-conscious, with a stomach wound. We administered first aid and evacuated him to the hospital, [also] in serious but stable condition."
After the second shooting, the terrorists reportedly fled toward a nearby Palestinian village. IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said forces gathered at the entrance to the village to assist in the manhunt. Conricus said it was unclear whether the assailant acted alone or with the assistance of others, and whether he belonged to any Palestinian terrorist group.
IDF and Shin Bet security agency forces were conducting a sweep of the entire area and security forces were working to obtain security camera footage from homes and businesses near the scene of the attack.
Immediately after the attack, the security department of the Samaria Regional Council held an emergency meeting with representatives of the defense establishment and decided to close the main gates to the Barkan settlement and the Barkan Industrial Park until the terrorists were captured.
President Reuven Rivlin said following the attacks: "I want to give strength to the families who are now dealing with the difficult news of the terrible terrorist attack, and the security forces, who are now in pursuit of the terrorists.
"Israel will find anyone who raises their hand against our citizens, and will chase down terrorism and those who perpetrate it," Rivlin said.
