The IDF said it shot and killed a suspected attacker after a stabbing in the Ganim area of the West Bank and has opened an investigation. The injured man was hospitalized with minor to moderate leg wounds and remained conscious. Army Radio later reported the assailant was a 28-year-old Palestinian Authority policeman. Earlier the same day, Itamar Cohen was seriously wounded near Elon Moreh while trying to put out a fire; two Palestinian assailants at that scene were killed by IDF forces.
IDF Kills Suspected Attacker After Ganim Stabbing; Earlier Knife Attack Seriously Wounds Man Near Elon Moreh
Israeli security forces at the scene of a stabbing attack near the Israeli settlement of Alon Moreh, in the West Bank, July 23, 2026 (photo credit: HILEL BEN OR/FLASH90)
Israeli forces shot and killed a man following a stabbing incident in the Ganim area of the West Bank on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces said, adding that the case is under military investigation.
According to Israeli media, the attacker stabbed a local man in the leg. The victim was taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries and was reported to be fully conscious. The IDF described the episode as an attempted attack and said investigators are probing the circumstances.
Army Radio later identified the deceased as a 28-year-old Palestinian Authority policeman.
Earlier Attack Near Elon Moreh
Earlier the same day, 51-year-old Itamar Cohen was seriously wounded in a separate stabbing at the Derech Avraham Farm near the West Bank settlement of Elon Moreh. Reports say Cohen was stabbed in the chest while attempting to extinguish a fire that had been set by residents of the nearby village of Beit Furik. The IDF said Cohen was evacuated by helicopter to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.
Israeli security forces demolish a Palestinian agricultural facility in the village of Rafat, south of Ramallah, in the West Bank, July 22, 2026 (credit: STR/FLASH90)
The army reported that two Palestinian attackers at the earlier scene were shot and killed by IDF forces.
Security Response and Ongoing Inquiries
The IDF, in coordination with police, restricted access around Beit Furik as investigators worked with Israel Fire and Rescue to determine how the blaze began. Military officials emphasized that inquiries into both incidents remain ongoing while forces continue to secure the affected areas.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan contacted Cohen to wish him a speedy recovery and to offer support to him and his family. Katz used the opportunity to reiterate Israel's commitment to combating terrorism, protecting civilians and strengthening settlement activity in the West Bank.
Photographs accompanying coverage showed Israeli security personnel demolishing a Palestinian agricultural structure in the village of Rafat, south of Ramallah (credit: STR/FLASH90).
Maya Zanger-Nadis contributed to this report.
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