The terrorists were neutralized by two reserve soldiers who rushed to the scene after they were located by IDF lookouts. The injured soldiers were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center.
The terrorists arrived equipped with cutter pliers —which they used to cut through the only fence in the part of the border they infiltrated from — binoculars, a map and an Arabic-Hebrew phrasebook. Following the incident, the IDF and the Jordanian army ruled via discussions that the suspects weren't affiliated with the Lebanese military despite donning their uniforms.
"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 Air Force units to the area 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.
"I will work in the Security Cabinet to expedite the construction of a barrier along the Jordanian border, similar to the one built in Egypt following the infiltrations, smuggling of weapons and attempted attacks coming from there. This isn't an option; it's a necessity," said Energy Minister and member of Israel's Security Cabinet Eli Cohen.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli added, "The wholesale smuggling of weapons, Iran's intensive efforts to destabilize the area and a second attack [from across the border] within a month and a half means the Jordanian border is the next security challenge."
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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