Hebron Cleanup: 200 Sites Cleared After Fatal Ambush

Israeli military and Civil Administration teams demolished illegally built structures near the northern entrance to Hebron on Saturday. These actions took place one day after a shooting attack killed two soldiers at Yehuda Junction. The operation aims to enforce law and order while removing potential security threats from the area.

The Friday attack resulted in the deaths of Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem. Central Command officials identified the gunmen as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba. Both men were affiliated with Hamas and came from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood.

The counterterrorism campaign is led by the Judea Brigade. It involves troops from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, and Givati reconnaissance reservists. The Border Police also participated, with intelligence support from the Shin Bet security agency. During the operation, soldiers searched approximately 200 locations to rule out weapons and terrorist activity. They arrested ten suspects in the process.

Military assessments indicate that about 2,000 residents in the target area belong to the Ja'aba clan. This group is affiliated with Hamas. On Friday evening, the military began evacuating the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods in western Hebron. These are densely populated districts within the Palestinian urban area. Civilians who wished to leave were allowed to exit through checkpoints run by the Shin Bet and the IDF.

Officials explained that removing residents allows troops to search homes and surroundings for weapons, explosives, and caches without endangering civilians. The area is known as a center for Hamas activity in Hebron. Brigadier General Kobi Heller, commander of the IDF West Bank Division, has also expanded searches and arrests in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm, as well as in Samaria.

A situational assessment is scheduled for Saturday to decide if the operation will expand. The current push occurs amid concerns that Hamas leaders abroad may try to organize attacks before upcoming elections.