IDF soldiers. Photo: Twitter.

JNS.org – Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon ordered the Israel Defense Forces to send reinforcements to southern Judea hours after a fatal shooting terror attack that killed a Jewish father and son, ages 40 and 18, in the southern Hebron hills region.

Ya’alon issued the order after consulting with army high command and other defense chiefs, including IDF chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, Shin Bet security agency director Yoram Cohen, Military Intelligence head Herzi Halevi, and the coordinator of government activities in the territories Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the family—killing father Ya’akov Litman and his son, Natanel—as they were traveling to the Jewish community of Othniel near Hebron. The terrorist has not yet been found.

“[Ya’akov and Natanel] were showing no signs of life, and there was no other choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene,” said Noam Bar, a Magen David Adom paramedic.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will reach the despicable murderers and we will bring them to justice, as we have in the past.”

Friday’s murders were the latest Israeli Jewish deaths in the wave of violence that has been plaguing the country. Since the start of October, 14 Israelis have been killed in stabbings, shootings, and other attacks.