Palestinian terrorist kills security guard with hammer, steals weapon and flees

A Palestinian terrorist murdered an Israeli security guard with a hammer before stealing his gun and fleeing the scene of an industrial area near the Israeli town of Kedumim in Samaria, Israeli media reported Sunday evening.

The guard, later identified as Gideon Peri, was rushed to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

Peri worked as a manager at a factory in the industrial area, according to Army Radio. He attempted to fight off the attacker, who charged him with a hammer but suffered serious injuries in the assault.

The terrorist then stole Peri’s handgun before fleeing in a vehicle. At the time of publication, security forces had begun a manhunt but hadn’t caught him yet.

Residents of Kedumim were instructed to stay in their homes for hours following the attack.

“Due to a security incident near the village, you must enter the houses and lock the doors and windows. Do not walk around the streets and do not go on the roads in the area,” the local council told residents.

According to Ynet News, the suspect had a permit to work in the industrial area, where Palestinians are employed under strict supervision and security procedures.

“We need to restore deterrence,” said Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council.

“This attack could not have come without the incitement and terrorist financing of the Palestinian Authority. This terrorist will receive a huge salary when he is caught for the rest of his life, from the well-dressed terrorist [and PA president] Abu Mazen, the Siamese twin of Hamas.”

“It’s time for the Israeli government to wake up from the [failed security] concept, it’s time to understand who our enemies are and who we’re facing,” Dagan said.

According to Army Radio, 38-year-old Peri was an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) officer in the IDF and had served in the reserves both in Gaza and on the northern border since the start of the war.

“Gideon funded and worked with his own hands for many projects for accessibility and assistance to the weak and underprivileged, quietly and powerfully, that’s how he worked,” friends told Army Radio.

Another friend described Peri as a kind man. “He was an amazing friend, unusually funny. First to help everywhere. A true friend. He would arrive anywhere and at any time, to solve any problem. He was talented, an entrepreneur, a dreamer and a fighter.”

Peri leaves behind a wife and three young children.