As Israel continued its manhunt Friday for the gunmen who killed two soldiers in the central West Bank, security forces readied for possible further violence as the Palestinian terror group Hamas called for a “day of rage” to mark the anniversary of its founding.
On Thursday, a Palestinian opened fire at a bus stop outside the Givat Assaf settlement outpost in the West Bank and killed Sgt. Yovel Mor Yosef, 20, and Cpl. Yosef Cohen, 19, while another soldier and civilian were wounded.
Troops searched for the terrorists overnight in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Soldiers arrested 40 Palestinians throughout the West Bank suspected of involvement in terror and rioting, 37 of whom the IDF said were known Hamas operatives.
“The IDF will continue to act to thwart terrorism and maintain security in the area,” the army said in a statement.
A senior Israel Defense Forces commander indicated the same Hamas terror cell was responsible for Thursday’s attack in addition to a shooting that wounded seven Israelis outside the Ofra settlement on Sunday night that led to the death of a baby boy who was delivered prematurely after his mother was critically hurt in the attack.
IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan vowed the military would hunt down the terrorists, some of whom remain on the run.
The Kan public broadcaster reported that an IDF soldier’s rifle was snatched by the Palestinian gunmen during Thursday’s shooting attack.
Following the latest attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who also serves as defense minister — beefed up troop levels across the West Bank, ordered detentions of Hamas activists and called for demolishing the homes of attackers within 48 hours.
Netanyahu has said he would “settle accounts” with the attackers, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held Israel responsible for what he said was a violent environment.
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