IDF Razes 200 Structures in Hebron After Fatal Ambush
Security forces searched 200 locations and arrested 10 suspects in the Ja'aba clan area following the deaths of two soldiers at Yehuda Junction.
By Sofia Molina ·
Two soldiers died in a shooting attack at Yehuda Junction on Friday. The military responded by launching a large-scale operation in northern Hebron on Saturday to clear the area of potential threats.
Israeli troops and Civil Administration personnel demolished illegally constructed buildings and infrastructure near the northern entrance to Hebron. The military stated that these demolitions were necessary to enforce law and order and to remove security risks posed by the structures close to the scene of Friday's shooting.
The counterterrorism campaign is led by the Judea Brigade. It includes personnel from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and Border Police. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence guidance for the effort.
During the operation, soldiers searched roughly 200 locations. They ruled out the presence of weapons and terrorist activity at these sites and arrested 10 suspects.
IDF assessments indicate that approximately 2,000 residents in the affected area belong to the Ja'aba clan. This clan is affiliated with Hamas, and the gunmen responsible for Friday's attack originated from it. Military officials in Central Command identified the attackers as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba. Both men were Hamas affiliates who came directly from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood.
The military began evacuating the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods on Friday evening. These densely populated districts in western Hebron are part of the city's Palestinian urban area. Civilians who requested to leave were permitted to exit through checkpoints operated by the Shin Bet and the IDF. Officials explained that removing residents allows security forces to search homes and surroundings for terrorist infrastructure, weapons, ammunition, and explosives laboratories without endangering civilians.
A situational assessment was held on Saturday to determine if the operation would expand. Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, commander of the IDF's West Bank Division, has already broadened arrest operations and searches in the Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm areas, as well as other locations throughout Samaria. These expanded actions occur amid concerns that Hamas leadership abroad may be orchestrating attacks ahead of upcoming elections.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
