Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday condemned the previous day’s terrorist attack in Samaria, in which three Israelis were murdered, calling it “an act of war” that will be “met with a decisive response.”

“We will strike the terrorists and their dispatchers and take firm action against the localities that harbored them. Palestinian terrorism will not be tolerated, and Jewish blood will not be spilled in vain,” Katz said during a visit to the attack site near al-Funduq, close to the Israeli community of Kedumim.

Katz met with Ami Barber, a civilian who returned fire at the gunmen, praising his heroism, according to i24NEWS.

Eight others were injured in the attack, including one seriously, prompting a large-scale manhunt for the perpetrators, who remain at large.

Photo Credit: Ariel Hermoni/ Ministry of Defense