JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Itamar Cohen, 51, one of the founders of the agricultural farm movement in Judea and Samaria, was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack on Thursday afternoon near Derech Avraham Farm in Samaria.

Magen David Adom (MDA) medics treated Cohen at the scene before he was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in serious condition. The two attackers were shot and killed by another armed Israeli civilian who was present at the scene.

Following the attack, clashes broke out between IDF forces and Palestinians near the farm.

According to the IDF, the incident began when Israeli civilians were attempting to extinguish a fire that had broken out near Derech Avraham Farm, close to Alon Moreh. During the firefighting efforts, two terrorists approached and stabbed Cohen, seriously wounding him. An armed Israeli civilian at the scene opened fire and neutralized both attackers.

The IDF subsequently imposed a cordon around the nearby Palestinian village of Beit Furik. Fire investigators from the Judea and Samaria District Fire and Rescue Service, together with police investigators, have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Israel Police said officers were collecting evidence and investigating the attack, noting that Cohen was stabbed multiple times in his upper body while trying to extinguish what is believed to have been an intentionally set fire.

The initial emergency call was received by MDA at 12:17 p.m. MDA said its paramedics, together with IDF medical personnel, provided lifesaving treatment to the 51-year-old victim, while confirming that two Palestinian terrorists had been neutralized.

MDA emergency medic Israel Arbus said: “While securing the firefighting operation, civilians shouted that a man had been stabbed. We immediately ran to him and found him suffering from multiple stab wounds. We provided lifesaving treatment, including controlling severe bleeding, and together with IDF medical teams evacuated him to the hospital in serious condition.”

Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan, who arrived at the scene with security forces, described the attack as “a severe act of terrorism.”

“We are repeatedly witnessing arson attacks and attempted terrorist attacks,” Dagan said. “There is a clear effort by the Palestinian Authority and terrorist organizations to incite violence and carry out attacks. The citizens of Israel expect the government to respond with an iron fist. The settlement movement in Samaria is strong, and we will prevail.”

The Association of Agricultural Farms said the fire was deliberately set on the morning of Tisha B’Av, prompting farmers and volunteers to rush to contain the blaze. During the firefighting efforts, Cohen, one of the pioneers of the agricultural farm movement, was stabbed while assisting.

The organization called on the public to pray for Cohen’s recovery and urged Israeli authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward what it described as “arson terrorism and violence in open areas,” saying stronger enforcement is needed to protect the farmers and volunteers working on the front lines.

Shikma Cohen, the wife of Itamar Cohen, shared an update on Instagram, writing:

“I just saw Itamar. Thank God, he is okay and conscious. He is in a great deal of pain, and above all, he is heartbroken. As you pray for the healing of his physical wounds, please also tear open the heavens in prayer for the healing of the divisions within the people of Israel.”