Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, aged 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, aged 20, from Hod Hasharon, were killed in a West Bank terror attack on Friday, the military announced.
Roytman was a squad commander, and Slivem was a combat soldier in the Ari Battalion (775), Search and Rescue Brigade, according to the IDF.
Both fell in combat at the Judea Junction when two terrorists traveling in a car with an M4 machine gun and a pistol opened fire on four soldiers who were on site.
The attackers had originally intended to go past the junction and carry out a larger attack on heavily traveled Route 35, IDF sources estimated, before realizing they would not get through.
Roytman's uncle, Dani, described him as "always smiling, with a great sense of humor, and a mature young man."
"This is a terrible tragedy, and we are still trying to come to terms with it," he said.
Three additional soldiers from the battalion were lightly injured and evacuated to receive medical treatment, the military said, and their families have been notified.
Bluth commends IDF bravery, announces 'significant counterterrorism operation'
Commander of the Central Command Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth commended the "bravery of IDF soldiers" at the scene of the attack later on Friday.
“This morning, a grave terror attack against Israeli civilians was thwarted," he said. "Unfortunately, we paid a heavy price during the encounter, and two combat soldiers fell in battle. I wish to extend my condolences to their families."
Bluth called the IDF the "protective shield" of Israeli citizens. Today, IDF soldiers put their lives on the line to prevent a grave terror attack against civilians," he said.
He also announced a "significant counterterrorism operation alongside imposing a cordon on the areas of Hebron and Halhul."
"We will bring all terrorists to justice and dismantle terrorist infrastructure of all kinds," he pledged.
Yonah Jeremy Bob, Tzvi Jasper, and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.