On Friday morning, July 24, 2026, roughly 60 Israeli civilians were hiking from Har Bracha toward Havat Gilad when a group of Arabs threatened the hiking Jews. The confrontation escalated.
One of the Arabs seized an M16 rifle from a security coordinator and opened fire, killing Major Yuval Ezra and Master Sergeant (Res.) Benayahu Melet, hy”d and wounding others. Four Arabs, including the gunman, were also killed. The IDF described the incident as a severe terror attack.
Video footage of the incident has drawn intense reaction for showing the victims’ restraint. Armed Israelis confronted the gunman (described as a “sheikh”) yet did not fire warning shots or aim at his legs, reportedly out of concern for legal consequences. The attacker exploited this hesitation, seized the weapon, and then shot the Jews at point-blank range as they lay helpless on the ground, ensuring their deaths.
IDF soldiers have come under severe criticism for not reacting sooner to prevent the tragedy.
Sources: Multiple
Note about the image: The one in grey is the shooter (the “sheikh”); the one on the ground, dark blue shirt, I believe, is Benayahu, hy”d. Both are dead. The video was taken by cell phone; it can be watched at our WhatsApp Hilltop Maccabees.
Posted July 27, 2026
HILLTOP MACCABEES
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