BICOM

The body of an Israeli student, who had been stabbed and killed, was found by Israeli soldiers early this morning outside a West Bank settlement, prompting a large scale manhunt for the perpetrators.

The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Dvir Sorek from Ofra. He was studying at a religious school in Migdal Oz, south of Jerusalem, as part of his military service. He is the son of Yoav Sorek, the editor of the Shiloach Journal. His teacher said had he had been to Jerusalem to buy gifts for his rabbis and on the way back was attacked and stabbed. His body was discovered holding the books that he’d bought.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Ronen Menalis said: “During the night, we received a report of an 18-year-old boy whose relatives had been unable to contact him since late evening. They reported this to us very late at night. We gathered forces from the Etzion Regional Division, including trackers. During the night, around 02:30-03:00, soldiers found the young man’s body near the entrance to Migdal Oz. He had been stabbed and killed. We understand that this was a terror attack.”

The IDF has launched an extensive manhunt together with the Shin Bet and the Israeli Police, working on the assumption that the attack was carried out by an unknown terror cell.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This morning we were informed about a harsh stabbing attack. The security forces are currently in pursuit to apprehend the abhorrent terrorist and bring him to justice. On behalf of myself and the government, I send condolences to the family.”