Palestinian Truck-Ramming Attack Prompts Calls for Broader Security Measures

Jerusalem, 11 September, 2024 (TPS) -- In the aftermath of Wednesday morning’s Palestinian truck-ramming attack, the mayor of an adjacent community called on Israeli security forces to strengthen an ongoing crackdown on terror groups in northern Samaria and the Jordan Valley.

“The operation in Jenin and northern Samaria must return to high intensity and expand to all areas of Judea and Samaria to provide security and safety for the citizens of Israel. The [Israel Defense Forces] must deploy an additional three infantry brigades to eliminate terrorism throughout Judea and Samaria, not just through targeted operations and special missions,” Shay Alon, mayor of the adjacent community of Beit El, told The Press Service of Israel.

“If, after our forces leave Jenin, the terrorists emerge from their hideouts like rats and brandish their weapons without fear, without broader countermeasures, then we have not finished the job,” he added.

An Israeli man in his 20s was critically injured when a Palestinian drove a gas truck into a bus stop in the Binyamin region near the community of Givat Assaf.

Security footage circulating on social media showed the gas tank truck with Palestinian license plates turn off the road and accelerate at the bus stop towards an army guard post adjacent to the bus stop, then crashing into the side of a hill behind the bus stop. The driver of a car behind the truck could be seen running towards the front of the truck while appearing to reach for a gun at his side.

The terrorist was identified as Hayil Dhaifallah, 58, from the town of Rafat, near Shechem (Nablus). He was shot by a motorist and other soldiers and taken to a hospital in Jerusalem in serious condition.

Security forces went to Dhaifallah’s home to map it out for possible demolition.

Israel launched its biggest counterterror operation in months on Aug. 28 with raids focused on the Jenin refugee camp, the Nur al-Shams camp in Tulkarm, the El Fara camp in northwestern Samaria in the Jordan Valley, and the nearby village of Tubas. The raids — dubbed Operation Summer Camp — were prompted by intelligence indicating that terror groups were preparing further attacks on Israel.

Thirty-two people have been killed in Palestinian terror attacks since October 7.

Since October 7, Israeli security forces have arrested approximately 5,000 wanted Palestinian terror suspects, of whom 2,000 were members of Hamas.