An IDF investigation released Wednesday detailed how Maj. Yuval Ezra HYD and Capt. (res.) Benyahu Melt HYD rushed toward armed terrorists during a deadly clash near the Palestinian village of Tell in Samaria. Both were killed while fighting at close range and helping protect dozens of Israeli hikers, as the probe also identified serious operational and medical failures.

The hike began at 5:30 a.m. from Har Bracha and passed through Areas B and A without prior coordination with the IDF. The military had received indications that a hike was planned but did not know its route or timing, and said organizers did not cooperate with attempts to obtain details. A lookout identified the group at 7:27 a.m., shortly before clashes broke out between Israelis and Palestinians.

The confrontation escalated when two terrorists seized the rifle of Dvir, the security coordinator of Havat Gilad. A gun battle lasting one minute and 40 seconds followed, involving fire from the stolen weapon, Melt, Ezra, a platoon commander and two soldiers. Four terrorists were killed and two were wounded.

Ezra fired two rounds before he and terrorist Farouk Ramadan shot each other at point-blank range. Ezra was struck in the head and killed, while Ramadan was critically wounded. The IDF concluded that Melt was killed by terrorist fire but could not rule out that he was also struck by Israeli troops, partly because no autopsy was conducted.

The probe also found that Melt was left critically wounded near the terrorists’ bodies while military medics evacuated Ezra and Dvir. An Israeli civilian medic eventually treated him. The IDF described Melt’s actions as “exceptional heroism and conduct worthy of recognition.” Police are examining possible criminal conduct by the hike’s organizers, while IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered new guidance after two off-duty soldiers joined the hike. Zamir also posthumously promoted Melt to captain.