IDF soldier's life saved by helmet in West Bank terror shooting

The attempted attack left no IDF casualties, with the life of one soldier being saved due to critical equipment.

 Israeli soldiers near the scene of a shooting, near the West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron, on October 11, 2022 (photo credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)
Israeli soldiers near the scene of a shooting, near the West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron, on October 11, 2022
(photo credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)

A terrorist was killed on Thursday morning after opening fire at IDF soldiers stationed near at the entrance to the village of Deir Sharaf near the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

"IDF soldiers from the 7037th (Res.) Battalion operating at a military post near Nablus neutralized a terrorist who fired at the force," the military said in a statement.

No casualties to IDF soldiers were reported.

One reservist was hit by a bullet but was not injured, thanks to his helmet.

Earlier in the week, terrorists opened fire on a house in Kibbutz Merav in Gilboa, just north of the West Bank's border with the Galilee region. As a result, authorities launched a search for the offending terrorists.

 A bullet hit the helmet of an IDF reservist in an attempted attack on February 8, 2024. (credit: MAARIV)
A bullet hit the helmet of an IDF reservist in an attempted attack on February 8, 2024. (credit: MAARIV)

West Bank officials react

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan was briefed on the attack and spoke with Samaria Brigade Col. Shimon Sisso, asking him to "give a hug to all of the soldiers." 

"The soldiers acted here with determination and speed, preventing a major disaster. The residents of Samaria and the entire Israeli people are proud of our soldiers and strengthen them," Dagan said in a statement. "The actions of the IDF and its commanders in all sectors protect the Israeli people. Terrorists must not be allowed to raise their heads here. Only together will we win."

"Immediately when the attack was reported, my force and I jumped to the scene," Maj. 'D' told The Jerusalem Post. "The terrorists who planned to harm our forces met an alert and ready force who acted exactly as expected of them.

"It was an unusual event in terms of the soldiers' conduct... a soldier who is hit by a bullet in his helmet and does not hesitate for a second and kills the terrorist."