Hebron Demolitions Target 200 Sites Following Yehuda Junction Ambush
The military cleared structures near the attack site that killed two soldiers on Friday, while a sitrep on Saturday will determine if the sweep widens further.
By John Ferrari ·
Israeli forces demolished illegally constructed buildings and infrastructure near the northern entrance to Hebron on Saturday. These actions mark the first phase of a large-scale counterterrorism operation launched after a deadly shooting attack on Friday at Yehuda Junction.
The attack on Friday claimed the lives of two soldiers: St.-Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem. Central Command officials identified the gunmen as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba, both affiliated with Hamas. The military stated that the attackers came directly from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood. The demolitions occurred close to the scene of the shooting to eliminate potential security threats posed by the structures.
The operation is commanded by the Judea Brigade. It involves troops from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and the Border Police. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence guidance for the campaign.
Soldiers searched approximately 200 locations during the sweep. They ruled out the presence of weapons and terrorist activity at these sites. The forces arrested 10 suspects during the operation.
IDF assessments indicate that roughly 2,000 residents in the area belong to the Ja'aba clan. This clan is affiliated with Hamas and is the origin of the Friday attackers. The military began evacuating the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods on Friday evening. These are densely populated districts in western Hebron 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.
Officials explained that evacuating residents allows troops and Shin Bet personnel to search structures, family homes, and immediate surroundings for terrorist infrastructure. They are looking for weapons, ammunition, explosives laboratories, and weapons caches without endangering civilians. The security establishment identifies this area as a center of activity for Hamas operatives in Hebron.
A situational assessment is scheduled for Saturday to determine whether the operation will expand. Meanwhile, Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, commander of the IDF's West Bank Division, has broadened arrest operations and searches. These efforts are currently underway in the Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm areas, as well as additional locations throughout Samaria.
