Two Soldiers Killed Before Hebron Sweep

Two Israeli soldiers died in a shooting attack at Yehuda Junction on Friday, triggering a large scale military operation in Hebron. On Saturday, troops and Civil Administration workers demolished illegally constructed buildings and infrastructure near the northern entrance to the city. The demolitions took place close to the site of the ambush.

The military identified the two killed soldiers as St. Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem. Security officials stated that the gunmen were Hamouda and Firas al Ja'aba. Both attackers were affiliated with Hamas and originated from the Ein Dir Baha neighborhood. The Ja'aba clan, to which the gunmen belong, is also affiliated with Hamas.

IDF assessments indicate that approximately 2,000 residents in the affected area belong to the Ja'aba clan. The Judea Brigade is leading the counterterrorism campaign. Forces from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and the Border Police are participating. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence guidance for the mission.

During the operation, soldiers searched roughly 200 locations. They ruled out the presence of weapons and terrorist activity in those sites and arrested 10 suspects. Officials explained that evacuating residents allows troops and Shin Bet personnel to search structures, family homes, and immediate surroundings. They are looking for terrorist infrastructure, weapons, ammunition, explosives laboratories, and weapons caches.

Military officials noted that the area is a known center of activity for Hamas operatives in Hebron. The evacuation of the al Jalda and Ein Dir Baha neighborhoods began on Friday evening. These are densely populated districts in western Hebron located within the Palestinian urban area. Civilians who requested to leave were permitted to exit temporarily through checkpoints operated by the Shin Bet and the IDF.

A situational assessment is scheduled for Saturday to determine whether the operation will expand. In the meantime, Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller, the commander of the IDF West Bank Division, has broadened arrest operations and searches. These expanded activities are taking place in the Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm areas, as well as additional locations throughout Samaria.

The military launched these expanded operations amid concerns that Hamas leadership abroad is orchestrating terrorist attacks ahead of the elections.