Israeli Forces Hunt for Gunmen After Deadly West Bank Shooting

Israeli authorities are conducting an intensive manhunt following a deadly terror attack that killed three Israelis and wounded eight others in the northern West Bank on Monday morning. Gunmen opened fire on two civilian cars and a bus traveling through the Palestinian village of al-Funduq before escaping the scene, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to deploy troops and an air force helicopter to track the suspects.

The victims included Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, an off-duty police officer and father of two, as well as sisters-in-law Rachel Cohen, 73, and Aliza Rice, 70, who were both educators from the settlement of Kdumim. The attack unfolded along Route 55, a major highway frequently used by Israeli and Palestinian drivers.

According to officials, the attackers, armed with assault rifles, first targeted a civilian car at close range, killing Cohen and Rice. They then fired on a bus further down the road, injuring eight passengers, including the 63-year-old driver, who was hospitalized in serious condition. Several others suffered moderate to light injuries.

An armed civilian returned fire during the attack, striking the gunmen’s vehicle but failing to prevent their escape. Israeli forces quickly set up roadblocks and sealed off nearby areas, including the city of Nablus, as part of the manhunt. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to use “strong force” to track down the perpetrators, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised no one involved would evade justice.

Authorities also revealed that four minors have been arrested and indicted in connection with recent attacks on Israeli forces in the West Bank. Three of the suspects, linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, were accused of planning attacks and arms dealing. The fourth, inspired by ISIS, reportedly sought to carry out terror activity but later abandoned the plan after purchasing and reselling a firearm.

Surveillance footage captured the moment the gunmen exited their vehicle, fired on the bus, and fled. The IDF confirmed two of the suspects were known for previous terror activities, while the third remains unidentified.

The attack comes amid escalating violence in the West Bank, with more than 46 Israelis killed in terror incidents since October 2023. In response, security forces have carried out widespread raids, arresting thousands of suspects and seizing weapons linked to terrorist activities.