A Palestinian gunman infiltrated an Israel Defense Forces checkpoint near the northern West Bank village of Tayasir early Tuesday, killing two soldiers and wounding eight others before being killed, the military said. One of the slain troops was identified as Sgt. Maj. (res.) Ofer Yung, 39, from Tel Aviv, serving in the Ephraim Regional Brigade’s 8211th Reserve Battalion.
According to an initial IDF probe, the attacker approached the checkpoint on foot overnight, armed with an M-16 rifle, two magazines, and wearing a tactical vest. Around 6 a.m., he surprised two soldiers preparing to open the Tayasir checkpoint for Palestinian traffic. One soldier was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire, while the second sustained wounds.
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Other soldiers stationed at the army post then engaged the gunman, who managed to move inside the compound but did not reach the top of the watchtower. During a prolonged shootout, another soldier was killed and several more were injured. A backup unit eventually forced the attacker to flee, hurling a grenade that killed him just outside the compound.
The eight wounded soldiers include two in serious condition and six with lighter injuries, according to the IDF. They were airlifted to hospitals in Israel. In video shared by Palestinian media, flashes of gunfire are seen near the watchtower, indicating troops above were firing on the assailant.
Shortly after the attack, an Israeli drone strike reportedly took place in the nearby town of Tamun, though there was no immediate comment from the IDF. This incident occurs amid Operation Iron Wall, a wide-ranging Israeli counterterror campaign launched on January 21 in northern West Bank areas such as Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tamun. More than 35 gunmen have been killed, and 15 more in drone strikes, according to military statements. The IDF acknowledges it has mistakenly killed several civilians during the operation.