August 5th, 2026
The findings of the investigation into the terrorist attack near the village of Tel, in which MAJ Yuval Ezra and CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet fell, were presented yesterday (Tuesday) to the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, yesterday (Tuesday) received the findings of the investigation into the terrorist attack that occurred on July 24, 2026, near the village of Tel in the Samaria Brigade area, in which Battery Commander of the 411th Battalion, MAJ Yuval Ezra, and regional defense soldier CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet fell. The security coordinator of the community of Havat Gilad and several civilians were also injured after being struck by stones. The findings were presented by the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth, and the Commanding Officer of the Judea and Samaria Division, BG Kobi Heller.
The investigation found that the hike in the area took place without the required coordination and approval from the security authorities. Several hours before the group departed, the Samaria Brigade received preliminary information regarding the planned hike and made attempts to obtain additional details.
The investigation found that the initial force was dispatched following a report from surveillance troops indicating that individuals had been identified throwing stones at a group of hikers. The force linked up with the hikers and continued escorting them as the group spread across a wide area. Additional troops, commanded by MAJ Yuval Ezra, arrived at the second site of confrontation, along with the security coordinator of the nearby community and a member of the local emergency response team, CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet, who immediately responded and went to the scene. Together, they acted to separate the Palestinians from the Israeli hikers and distance them back toward the village. After the security coordinator’s weapon was seized, the three acted with exceptional courage to save civilian lives and engage the terrorists.
The investigation found that the terrorists were eliminated, two additional terrorists were wounded, and all those involved were apprehended. The remaining terrorists were eliminated by a platoon commander who responded to the incident and by two Israeli hikers who were IDF soldiers on leave.
The investigation further found that MAJ Yuval Ezra charged toward the terrorist, engaged him at close range, and eliminated him. MAJ Ezra fell during the confrontation. The findings also determined that it is not possible to establish conclusively the cause of CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet’s fatal injury. He may have been killed either by terrorist fire or by incidental fire during efforts to neutralize the terrorists. The matter was thoroughly examined during the investigation, but no definitive conclusion could be reached.
The investigation concluded that the rules of engagement were clear and enabled the soldiers to employ fire as necessary to remove the threat. It also determined that the military force that arrived at the scene was too small relative to the scale of the violent incident, the number of hikers, and the number of attackers. Additionally, other soldiers operating in the area did not act optimally to establish a comprehensive operational picture, dispatch reinforcements, or deploy medical teams as required.
The investigation also identified another serious failure. During the evacuation of MAJ Yuval Ezra from the scene, CPT (Res.) Benayahu Melet remained wounded on the ground for an extended period of several minutes, receiving treatment from a civilian medic without the presence of soldiers. This failure is inconsistent with IDF values and with the ethical and professional obligation that the safety and security of civilians take precedence over those of IDF personnel.
Several hours after the attack, security forces operated to locate and apprehend two terrorists who had participated in the shooting attack and who were wounded during it. They were apprehended in a targeted daytime operation at a hospital in the heart of the city of Nablus, where they had been evacuated for treatment.
Following the recommendation of the Head of the Personnel Directorate, the Chief of the General Staff approved the posthumous promotion of Benayahu Mellet to the rank of CPT (Res.). Melet was in the process of completing officer training.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth, stated that the incident demonstrates the courage of MAJ Yuval Ezra and CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet, who chose to place themselves between the threat and the civilians they were protecting. They faced the terrorists and acted to eliminate them, thereby preventing a much more severe attack.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Command emphasized that incidents occurring in open areas and near villages, such as this one, are becoming more frequent. Accordingly, such scenarios must be treated as realistic operational contingencies, beginning with the identification of vulnerable points, continuing through appropriate briefings, and ensuring that soldiers are fully prepared for similar incidents.
The investigation also determined that, alongside acts of exceptional bravery, significant operational and command failures were identified that require immediate lessons to be learned and implemented. These included the arrival of the responding soldiers while numerically disadvantaged, deficiencies in the conduct of soldiers during the incident, and shortcomings in the medical evacuation process.
The investigation further found that MAJ Yuval Ezra responded to the area after the battalion commander had raised the level of readiness the previous day following terrorist attacks in the sector in which an Israeli civilian and an IDF soldier had been wounded, based on an operational assessment that the security situation was highly volatile.
The Chief of the General Staff adopted the findings of the command investigation, stating that this was a significant incident raising numerous issues that require learning, from the tactical level through the systemic level, and directed that the lessons be implemented immediately.
The Chief of the General Staff emphasized the magnitude of the challenge facing soldiers operating on the battlefield and expressed his deep appreciation for the commanders and troops for their actions.
The Chief of the General Staff stressed the importance of adhering to procedures and ensuring that all entries into areas requiring prior coordination are coordinated in accordance with the directives of the Central Command and the Judea and Samaria Division.
The Chief of the General Staff commended the actions of the command and the division that led to the apprehension of the terrorist at the hospital, describing it as a professional, rapid, and commendable operation. He also praised the work of the surveillance and combat intelligence array and instructed that intelligence collection capabilities continue to be strengthened, given their critical importance in identifying threats, closing operational circles, and rapidly deploying forces.
Remarks by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: “This was a grave terrorist attack in which we lost two outstanding troops - one a member of a local emergency response team who engaged the enemy, and the other an exemplary company commander who charged forward with exceptional courage. During the attack, terrorists seized the security coordinator’s weapon. We will not accept a situation in which the lives of civilians are placed at risk. IDF troops have the duty to protect Israeli civilians everywhere and at all times. Yuval and Benayahu engaged the enemy, demonstrated exceptional combat capability, and prevented a far more serious attack on the hikers. We will continue to investigate every incident professionally in order to improve and strengthen our readiness. This is how the IDF operates, and this is how we will continue to operate".
The IDF shares in the deep sorrow of the families of MAJ Yuval Ezra and CPT (Res.) Benayahu Mellet and will continue to support them.
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