Defense Minister Benny Gantz promised Thursday night to capture the Palestinian Authority terrorists who a few hours earlier killed one Israeli and wounded two others, including one moderately, in a shooting attack near the northern Samaria Jewish community of Homesh.
The terrorists escaped. IDF troops set out to search for the perpetrators.
“I would like to express my condolences to the family of the terror victim killed in Judea and Samaria this evening, and wish a speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries in the attack,” Gantz said in a statement issued less than two hours later.
The defense minister promised Israel’s security forces will capture the perpetrators.
“We will increase our vigilance and readiness to thwart terror in Judea and Samaria, and will continue to take any measures necessary in facing terror groups in the area,” he added.
Gantz spoke with IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi following the attack to receive an update on the actions being taken to capture the terrorists.
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev likewise vowed in his own statement, posted to Twitter, that Israeli forces will capture the killers.
Barlev said in his own statement, posted to Twitter, that “Palestinian terror again raises its ugly head.
“Condolences to the family of their beloved, murdered yeshiva student, and swift recovery to the wounded,” he wrote.
Barlev then added a Torah passage: ‘I will pursue my enemies and I will destroy them and will not return until they are consumed,” he quoted.
“My heart is with the family of the murdered victim in the attack on the Homesh, and there are prayers tonight for the healing of the wounded,” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a separate statement.
“We will continue to take all measures against despicable terrorists who go out to murder in cold blood.
“I strengthen the IDF and the security forces who face violence and terror day and night; their hand will capture the killers and those who sent them,” he said.
Efrat Local Council head Oded Ravivi expressed little confidence in the defense minister, and little in Barlev either, referring to a move by both to send IDF soldiers to supplement Israel Police officers during their missions.
“The shooting attack proves that the Gantz Bar-Lev deal to allocate soldiers for policing missions undermines security,” Ravivi said in a statement, adding that the IDF must be allowed to protect the Israeli citizens of Judea and Samaria, and must not be sent on missions that are not their own.
“We are praying for the recovery of the wounded,” he added.