Israeli soldier stabbed in Jordan Valley attack

An Israeli soldier, identified as Elchanan Hanania, was injured in a knife attack near Al-Auja in the Jordan Valley on Sunday morning. The 24-year-old soldier had stopped at a commercial center on Route 90 to purchase cigarettes when a 16-year-old assailant approached him from behind and stabbed him multiple times in the back and shoulder.

Following the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and police launched a large-scale search operation, eventually capturing the suspect in the Al-Auja region. Hanania was transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he is reported to be in stable condition and awaiting surgery.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a response to Israeli settler violence in the West Bank and actions regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The incident occurred while Hanania was traveling with his pregnant wife for a family anniversary trip.