Two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve soldiers were seriously wounded on Wednesday in a security incident near the Reihan Crossing in northern Samaria, highlighting the persistent security challenges Israel faces from Iranian-backed terror groups. The IDF confirmed that a soldier from the 5703 Rescue and Extraction Battalion and another from the 703 Ordnance Battalion were transferred to hospital care following the attack, and their families were notified as medical teams provided urgent treatment.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident have not been fully disclosed due to operational security, but the area around the Reihan Crossing has seen heightened tensions as terror networks linked to Iran—including Hamas and affiliated factions—step up their attempts to infiltrate and target Israeli personnel and infrastructure. The crossing is a strategic point in northern Samaria, vital for both civilian and military traffic, and as such is a frequent target for terror plots aimed at destabilizing Israel’s defensive posture.
Background: Israel’s northern and eastern frontiers have experienced an increase in attempted attacks, particularly since the October 7, 2023 massacre, when Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest antisemitic terror attack since the Holocaust. Since then, Israel has reinforced security along border crossings and transportation corridors to counter attempts at infiltration, kidnapping, and sabotage. IDF units involved in rescue, extraction, and ordnance disposal have borne a heavy operational burden, often acting as first responders during emergencies at or near key defensive positions.
The Iranian Threat and Proxy Tactics: Iran’s longstanding strategy of arming and directing proxies in the region, notably through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), continues to fuel instability on Israel’s borders. Groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and other elements active in Judea and Samaria have built up arsenals and operational capabilities, including improvised explosive devices, cross-border ambushes, and efforts to abduct Israeli soldiers. The current war, imposed by these terror networks at Iran’s direction, necessitates constant vigilance at crossings like Reihan, which are viewed as high-value targets by hostile actors seeking to inflict casualties or create chaos.
Operations and Medical Response: In the wake of the incident, IDF and medical teams executed rapid casualty evacuation protocols. The two wounded reserve soldiers, whose expertise in rescue and ordnance roles often puts them at the front line of such incidents, are now undergoing intensive medical treatment. Operational reviews are underway to analyze the incident and adapt security procedures as necessary in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have consistently reiterated that the defense of Israeli personnel and civilians remains paramount, and that attacks originating from Iranian-backed terror groups will be met with firm and decisive action. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has directed a review of operational security measures at major crossings and reaffirmed support for the reserve soldiers who routinely place their lives at risk for national security.
Strategic and Geopolitical Context: The Reihan Crossing, along with other critical checkpoints in Samaria and the broader Seam Zone, play a central role in Israel’s defensive doctrine. Maintaining a robust presence at these locations is crucial not only for the prevention of terror attacks but also for projecting deterrence and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of Israeli citizens in vulnerable areas. Iranian-backed efforts to destabilize the sector—often using local operatives and advanced weaponry—form part of a larger strategic campaign by Tehran to threaten Israel’s borders and civilian population centers using both direct and proxy violence.
Civilian and Military Solidarity: Israeli communities near strategic crossings have continuously demonstrated resilience, adapting to increased security routines and standing in solidarity with IDF personnel. Civil-military cooperation, emergency preparedness, and mutual support have become defining features of life in these areas since the escalation in October 2023. The Israeli public remains resolute in its support for counter-terror operations and the ongoing campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure fueled by Iranian sponsorship.
Looking Ahead: As the IDF investigates the full scope of Wednesday’s incident and seeks to further harden vulnerable sites against terror infiltration, Israel’s leadership, military, and society are unified in the conviction that defeat of Iranian-backed proxy war is essential to national security and regional stability. The sacrifices of reserve soldiers on the front line serve as a stark reminder of the stakes involved and reinforce the imperative for ongoing vigilance and operational excellence.
The incident underscores the sustained nature of Israel’s war of self-defense against terror groups managed by Iran, and the enduring commitment of both military and civilian communities to preserve security in the face of ongoing threats.
