Mellet, was murdered this morning in a shooting attack by ‘Palestinian’ Arab terrorists who had attacked hikers near the community. Mellet, the farm’s security coordinator, rushed to the scene after a group of hikers came under attack nearby. During the rescue, terrorists overpowered him, stole his weapon, and shot him dead with it. He leaves behind his wife Esther and two daughters, ages 12 and 13.
Just last Saturday night, the community of Gilad Farm was burned to the ground when terror arsonists set fire to the Samaria community. Seventeen families lost their homes and 14 businesses were destroyed, and two ‘Palestinian’ Arabs were taken into custody as an investigation continues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene the Minister of Defense and IDF Chief of the General Staff shortly for a discussion on the response to this morning’s murderous terrorist attack. Netanyahu said, ”We will act with full force against the terrorists and those who dispatch them, and we will not allow terrorism in Judea and Samaria to rear its head.”
The murder is the result of ongoing incitement against the residents of Judea and Samaria, especially the farm owners by the ‘Palestinian’ Authority, European governments, anarchist organizations, and elements of Israeli society. Just yesterday (Thursday), a Jewish man in his 50s was critically wounded by a ‘Palestinian’ Arab in a stabbing attack in Samaria, major Arab Telegram channels began celebrating the attack, circulating inciting posters glorifying the terrorists and threatening additional attacks against Jews.
The incident apparently began after a group of Israeli hikers from the “David and Achikam” hiking group, walking near the village of Tell in the Samaria region, encountered terrorists near the village’s mosque who attacked them. Mellet rushed to the area to save their lives.
At approximately 8:20am, terrorists overpowered Mellet, stole his weapon, and opened fire on Israeli civilians. The wounded were evacuated for medical treatment. IDF and security forces are operating in the area.
Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan said at the scene, “The incident is still ongoing. There are still people in danger. Terror will not break us. The response must be offensive: to pursue the terrorists relentlessly and strike terror with full force. At the same time, we must continue to build, develop, and strengthen the settlement enterprise in Samaria. Whoever tries to harm us should know that they will get a Samaria that is stronger and larger.”
A wave of Arab attacks on Jews has plagued Israel’s heartland recently. Just yesterday, an Israeli was wounded in the leg in a stabbing attack near Ganim in northern Samaria. The attacker was neutralized.
Hours after the attack, Channel 14 journalist Eliya Aviv had a scathing message for authorities at the site of the terror attack (near Gilad Farm):
“Why is the policy of the security establishment to improvise every time there’s an attack?”
“Why is the blood of Jews in Judea and Samaria worth less?”