The findings of a dramatic operational probe presented yesterday (Tuesday) to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir shed light on the severe terrorist attack that occurred on July 24, 2026, on the outskirts of the village of Till in the Samaria Brigade sector. Battery Commander Maj. Yuval Ezra z”l and territorial defense combatant Capt. (res.) Benayahu Mellet z”l were killed after terrorists attacked a group of hikers with stones—a trip conducted without prior coordination—snatched the local security coordinator’s weapon, and opened fire on forces arriving to protect the civilians.
The incident began following a hike in the area conducted without the required coordination and approval from security authorities. Several hours before the hikers set out, preliminary intelligence reached the Samaria Brigade. However, the initial force dispatched to the scene following a report from field observers regarding stone-throwers was forced to escort a group spread thin over a wide perimeter. Additional soldiers commanded by Maj. Yuval Ezra z”l arrived at the second point of confrontation, alongside the security coordinator of Gilad Ranch and Capt. (res.) Benayahu Mellet z”l from the standby response team, who rushed to the scene to separate the ‘Palestinians’ from the hikers.
When the medic and civilians came under attack and the security coordinator’s weapon was snatched, the three acted with rare courage to save lives. The probe reveals that Maj. Yuval Ezra z”l charged forward, engaged, and killed one of the terrorists before falling in battle. Meanwhile, the remaining terrorists were eliminated by a platoon commander who responded to the scene and two hikers who were IDF soldiers on leave. Regarding the death of Capt. (res.) Benayahu Mellet z”l, the probe established that it cannot be definitively determined whether he was struck by terrorist fire or by incidental fire during efforts to neutralize the threat.
Alongside the stories of heroism, the investigation highlighted a series of grave deficiencies: the military force that arrived at the scene was significantly understaffed given the scope of the incident, the number of hikers, and the volume of attackers. Furthermore, it was determined that remaining forces in the area failed to act effectively to formulate a situational picture, summon reinforcements, or dispatch medical units.
Additionally, the probe uncovered a severe failure in which, during the evacuation of Maj. Ezra z”l, Benayahu Mellet z”l was left wounded in the field for extended minutes, treated solely by a civilian medic without any military presence. The Chief of Staff ruled that this constituted an ethical and professional failure contradicting core IDF values, which prioritize the safety of civilians and the wounded above all.
Hours after the incident, security forces raided a hospital in broad daylight in the heart of Nablus and arrested two additional terrorists who were injured in the attack and evacuated there for treatment. Following a recommendation from the Head of the Personnel Directorate, the Chief of Staff approved promoting Benayahu Mellet z”l to the rank of Captain (res.) posthumously, acknowledging his ongoing officer training process.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir adopted the investigation’s conclusions and instructed that lessons be implemented immediately: “This was a severe terror attack in which we lost two precious combatants… We will not accept a situation where civilian lives are endangered. IDF forces are obligated to protect Israeli citizens everywhere and at all times. Yuval and Benayahu z”l engaged the enemy, demonstrated fighting capabilities, and prevented a far worse outcome for the hikers. We will continue to investigate every incident professionally to improve and strengthen our readiness.”