Jerusalem, 14 September, 2022 (TPS) — Prime Minister Yair Lapid and the IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi both commented on Wednesday afternoon on the IDF officer who was killed on Tuesday by terrorists affiliated with the Fatah group. Lieutenant General Kochavi also conducted a preliminary investigation at the scene of the combat.

Major Bar Falah (seen above), deputy commander of the elite Nahal reconnaissance unit, was the officer killed in a clash with terrorists near the Gilboa crossing, in the Jenin area in Samaria. Several terrorists were killed in the clash. Lapid stated that one of the terrorists killed was a member of the Palestinian Authority’s own intelligence forces.

“This escalates things to another level,” he declared. “We will not hesitate to act in any place that the Palestinian Authority does not maintain order. The IDF and ISA are prepared for every scenario in order to prevent terrorism from rearing its head. They are prepared on all fronts, together with the Israel Police on the seamline. Israel will forcefully target whoever tries to harm it.”

Calling him a hero, the Prime Minister also offered his condolences to the Major’s family on behalf of the Government and the entire State of Israel.

“We bow our heads following the death of Major Bar Falah, an Israeli hero,” said Lapid. “He was killed as he and his soldiers heroically confronted and neutralized the terrorists. We send our condolences to his parents, his partner, his family, and his friends.”

Chief of Staff Kochavi commented. “Tonight we saw command from the front and a commander who led the way, showed courage and daring and paid for it with his life in the mission of protecting the security of the country and its residents.”

General Kochavi went on to describe this as a difficult event that the IDF wished had ended differently. He also promised a full investigation to learn and improve from this episode.

“This night is another expression of the IDF’s activity in all sectors, and in Judea and Samaria in particular,” said Kochavi, “every night to thwart terrorist attacks and maintain the security of the citizens of the State of Israel.”

The Chief of Staff’s preliminary investigation was conducted with the Commander of the Central Command, Colonel Yehuda Fox, Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Lieutenant Colonel Avi Belot, Commander of the Nahal Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Oren Simcha, Commander of the Regional Brigade Menashe, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Moyal and other commanders.