Authorities involved in the manhunt for the terrorist responsible for the fatal shooting attack in the Shomron on erev Shabbos report the terrorist, who remains at large, is affiliated with Hamas. Lod resident 25-year-old Danny Gonen HY”D was murdered in the attack and Netanel Hadad, 25, of Lod, was shot and remains in stable condition in the attack.

IDF reserve duty Lt.-Colonel Alon Avitar, an experts on the PA (Palestinian Authority) situation, explains there are a number of Hamas-affiliated villages in the area of the attack, located west of Ramallah. Despite the fact Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, officials do not rule out the fact it was a lone terrorist acting alone.

Avitar added tensions are running particularly high during the month of Ramadan that began last week.

One Dolev area resident explained to the media that guns are easily obtained and carrying out a terror attack at the area checkpoint or elsewhere is not difficult.

MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev, a colonel in the IDF reserves, calls on the Civil Administration to take the appropriate “deterrence steps” against the village, adding “this village should not be celebrating Ramadan. The village should be in mourning – shut down… the Arabs must realize who is in charge…”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)