Two terrorists who infiltrated Israel from Jordan on Friday opened fire near Neot HaKikar located near the Dead Sea 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away from the border and moderately injured at least two Israelis before being neutralized by IDF forces who rushed to the scene after the terrorists were located by IDF lookouts.
"IDF soldiers identified a number of terrorists that crossed from Jordan into Israeli territory south of the Dead Sea. IDF troops were dispatched to the scene and two terrorists who opened fire toward the troops were neutralized by the forces. The troops are conducting searches in the area," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement.
"Additional forces have been dispatched to reinforce the area and are conducting searches on the ground and air for an additional terrorist who likely fled the scene," it added. The military has deployed significant airforces including attack helicopters and blocked several roads in the Arava region in attempts to locate and neutralize the remaining suspect.
Communities located close to the scene were directed to remain shut inside of their homes until the military completed its survey of the area and ruled out any potential additional terrorists who might've been part of the two-men cell.
"An incident took place near the Lebanese border near Kikar Sdom and is being handled by the military. The residents are asked to remain inside of their homes," the Tamar Regional Council told its residents in a statement.
"The challenges at the border with Jordan are increasing and the military must reinforce forces at the border significantly," a resident of a community close to the scene of the attack said.
"The army also needs to bolster alert squads and their equipment and weapons. The Jordanian side has increased security," he added. "Everything is within walking distance from here. There's no telling what could have happened if they hadn't been identified," another resident said referring to vacationing sites in the area.
The attack comes following the IDF's renewed plan to reinforce the border with Jordan set to be presented to decision-makers in the Defense and Finance ministries in the coming days for approval and budget allocation.
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