Judea Brigade clears 200 Hebron sites after ambush
Troops and Shin Bet agents evacuated roughly 2,000 residents to search for weapons and terrorist infrastructure following the deaths of two soldiers at Yehuda Junction.
By William Parker ·
Israeli forces and Civil Administration staff demolished illegally built structures near the northern entrance to Hebron on Saturday. The actions marked the latest phase of a military campaign initiated after a shooting attack killed two soldiers the previous day.
The operation is led by the Judea Brigade and includes troops from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and Border Police. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence support for the effort.
Soldiers searched approximately 200 locations during the sweep. They confirmed the absence of weapons and terrorist activity in those areas and arrested 10 suspects. The demolitions took place close to the site of the Friday shooting. The military stated the goal was to enforce law and order and remove potential security threats.
Friday's attack at Yehuda Junction resulted in the deaths of St.-Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem. Central Command officials identified the attackers as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba. Both men are affiliated with Hamas and came from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood.
IDF assessments indicate that about 2,000 residents in the affected area belong to the Ja'aba clan. The clan is linked to Hamas and is the origin of the gunmen involved in the fatal ambush. Officials described the area as a known center for Hamas operatives in Hebron.
Evacuations of the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods began on Friday evening. These densely populated districts are located in the western part of the city within the Palestinian urban area. Civilians who requested to leave were allowed to exit through checkpoints run by the Shin Bet and the IDF.
Officials explained that removing residents allows troops and agents to search family homes and surrounding areas for weapons, ammunition, explosives labs, and caches. A situational assessment was scheduled for Saturday to determine if the operation would expand. Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, commander of the West Bank Division, has already widened arrest operations and searches in the Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm areas, as well as other parts of Samaria. These moves occur amid concerns that Hamas leadership abroad is attempting to coordinate attacks before the elections.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
