The IDF has released the names of two Israeli soldiers killed Friday morning in a terrorist shooting attack at the Judea Junction near Chevron, where two Hamas-affiliated terrorists opened fire on a military checkpoint before being eliminated following a 20-minute gun battle.

The fallen soldiers were identified as Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon. Both served in the Ari Battalion (775) of the IDF’s Search and Rescue Brigade.

Roytman served as a squad commander, while Svilem was a combat soldier in the same battalion.

Three additional soldiers from the battalion sustained light injuries during the attack. They were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families were notified.

According to an initial military investigation, the two terrorists were 27-year-old residents of Chevron affiliated with Hamas. They arrived at the scene carrying an M4 rifle and a handgun, apparently intending to carry out an attack along Highway 35.

Investigators believe the terrorists changed their plans after determining that they could not reach their intended target. They instead opened fire on soldiers stationed at the nearby checkpoint, setting off a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

Israeli forces engaged the attackers for approximately 20 minutes before killing both terrorists and bringing the shooting to an end.

Magen David Adom reported that the other victims injured in the attack suffered light wounds and were receiving treatment at hospitals.

Following the attack, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a security assessment with senior military commanders, during which he praised the soldiers’ response and warned that the terrorists had apparently been preparing an even more devastating attack.

“This was a serious terrorist attack. The soldiers’ swift actions prevented an even more severe attack and further harm to civilians and security forces. A large quantity of ammunition was found in the vehicle the terrorists used to reach the scene of the attack, which was intended to be used in a larger-scale attack.”

Additional details emerging from the investigation indicate that the terrorists arrived in a vehicle bearing Israeli license plates and positioned themselves near a scrapyard, where they reportedly observed Israeli troops before launching their assault.

The soldiers had reportedly left a nearby military position to inspect vehicles at a checkpoint when the gunmen opened fire. The ensuing battle continued for approximately 20 minutes before Israeli forces eliminated both attackers.

Emergency medical personnel, including Magen David Adom teams and military medics, responded to the scene and treated the wounded before transporting them to hospitals in Yerushalayim, including Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem.

The IDF deployed additional forces to the area following the shooting, including soldiers from the elite Duvdevan unit, Border Police personnel, and aerial surveillance assets. Security forces also conducted searches to determine whether additional terrorists had been involved.

Israeli authorities imposed a security cordon around Chevron and several surrounding communities, while police closed portions of Highway 35 as investigators examined the scene and collected evidence.

Zamir subsequently approved intensified intelligence operations and additional arrest efforts in the region as the military sought to identify anyone who may have assisted the attackers.

{Matzav.com}