By JAMES GENN, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM

JULY 24, 2026 10:07

Israeli politicians and officials have urged the IDF to respond forcefully to the Friday morning terror attack at Gilad Farm, which claimed one life and left two others seriously injured.

"A difficult morning. I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the victim, pray for the swift recovery of those wounded, and stand with the residents and hikers," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in a post on X/Twitter on Friday morning.

"We will not accept the weakening of deterrence or the growing boldness of our adversaries in recent weeks toward settlement pioneers and farms. I call on the IDF to act decisively against the village of the perpetrators and its vicinity to restore control and deterrence," he continued.

"The farm communities and dedicated settlement pioneers serve as a protective barrier for the State of Israel. We will keep supporting and recognizing them for their firm commitment to our presence in the Land of Israel amid Arab terrorism."

"Attack after attack. Our thoughts are with our brothers at Gilad Farm during this challenging morning," former prime minister Naftali Bennett stated in response to the incident.

"Extending sincere condolences to the family of the victim and praying for the recovery of the injured. The people of Israel stand united with the IDF and security forces in their fight against the perpetrators and those who direct them. Terrorism must be eliminated decisively," Bennett added.

"The cities and villages of the perpetrators in Judea and Samaria will face the same judgment as Beit Hanun in Gaza," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared, noting he is heading to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will "insist that the IDF be directed to remove from the air and with D9 bulldozers the homes of terrorists and their backers, and to make the terrorists pay the appropriate price."

"For every Jew murdered, the enemy must suffer the loss of lands and homes."

"This is the language understood in the Middle East, and just as we used it in Gaza, it is time to apply it in Judea and Samaria too," he said.

Dagan Stresses Resilience Against Terror

Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan noted that the incident is still unfolding.

"The incident is still ongoing. There are still people in danger. Terror will not break us," Dagan said. "The response must be offensive: We must relentlessly pursue the terrorists and strike terrorism with full force."

"At the same time, we must continue to build, develop, and strengthen the communities in Samaria. Anyone who tries to harm us should know that they will be met with a stronger and larger Samaria."

"I demand that the government launch a large-scale military operation against the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, who are trying to ignite a wave of terrorism here. We have seen it over the past week. We expect the government and the military leadership to carry out a major operation, a real military campaign, in Samaria, here near Gilad Farm, to make it clear that Israel has changed the rules of the game and will not tolerate a wave of terrorism," he added.

Area is 'Burning'

"The shocking attack this morning, which follows yesterday's incident and the wave of fires and repeated arsons, shows that these are not isolated events but planned and ongoing terrorism," Mateh Binyamin Regional Council Head Israel Ganz said.

"The area is literally burning," he stated. "The wave of arsons, attempted attacks and the ongoing incitement by the Palestinian Authority are part of a single campaign aimed at harming the settlement and the citizens of Israel."

"Judea and Samaria is not a secondary arena. It is a central front of the State of Israel, and the policy here must change accordingly, by launching a broad operation against the centers of terror, exacting a heavy price from anyone involved in terrorism or incitement, and stopping treating these attacks as routine," Ganz said.

"We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and wish strength to the security forces, IDF, and pioneering farmers who stand on the front lines and protect Israeli citizens with their bodies every day," he stated.