Katz: Yesterday’s deadly West Bank attack was an ‘act of war’ that will be answered in kind

Defense Minister Israel Katz visits the scene of yesterday’s deadly terror attack in the northern West Bank, saying it was an “act of war” that will be answered in kind.

Two elderly women and an off-duty cop were killed and at least eight other Israelis were wounded when Palestinian terrorists opened fire on vehicles in the Palestinian village of al-Funduq yesterday. The perpetrators are still at large.

The village straddles a major artery used by thousands of Israelis and Palestinian drivers daily.

“The despicable, murderous terror attack that occurred here yesterday is an act of war for all intents and purposes, and it will be answered accordingly,” Katz says in remarks provided by his office.

“We will hit the terrorists and those who sent them, and we will act powerfully against the places from where the terrorists came,” he says.

Far-right government members and settler leaders have called for military action in the West Bank resembling the scenes in Gaza, where the IDF has evacuated and destroyed entire cities that became terror strongholds.

Katz meets and thanks Ami Barber, a civilian who shot at the terrorists yesterday, causing them to flee and likely preventing more casualties.

He also holds a situation assessment with senior officers and tells reporters he has ordered forces in the West Bank to be bolstered.