IDF Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Sergeant 1^st class Ihab Chattib was killed earlier today by a Palestinian while in his vehicle at a traffic light in the Tapuah junction, south of Nablus. The family has been informed of the tragedy.

The NCO was sitting in his vehicle with his window open when the terrorist pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

In an attempt to escape, the NCO drove a short distance before losing consciousness and the vehicle spun out of control.

The NCO received initial medical treatment at the scene of the incident and later died of his wounds en route to the hospital.

A civilian security officer from the community of Rehelim hit the attacker with his vehicle, lightly injuring him. The attacker was then arrested and taken for questioning by Israeli security forces. The attacker, Mahmoud Yusef Nimer Hattib, is a Palestinian police officer.

The IDF regards this incident with great severity, and will operate to bring all those involved in the attack to justice.

The IDF’s Central Command notices a rise in attempted terror attacks throughout Judea and Samaria. Since the beginning of the year, over 20 knives and 12 explosive devices were discovered by security forces in the Judea and Samaria.