IDF expands Hebron operation after soldiers killed in ambush

A tense standoff defines the current military posture in Hebron, where Israeli forces have moved to demolish structures they deem illegal and strategically significant. This action follows a deadly ambush that claimed the lives of two soldiers, marking a sharp escalation in the region's ongoing security operations.

The central justification for the latest demolition campaign is the need to restore order and remove potential threats. On Saturday, troops from the Civil Administration and the IDF razed buildings and infrastructure near the northern entrance to Hebron. These sites are located close to Yehuda Junction, the exact location where the Friday attack took place. The military stated that the structures posed security risks and that their removal was necessary to enforce law and order in the area.

The operation is not an isolated incident but part of a broader counterterrorism campaign. The Judea Brigade is commanding the effort, supported by specialized units including Duvdevan and Maglan operatives, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and Border Police. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence guidance for the mission, ensuring that tactical decisions are informed by the latest data on local militant activities.

Soldiers have conducted a thorough sweep of the area, searching approximately 200 locations. During these inspections, they ruled out the presence of weapons and active terrorist infrastructure in many sites. The operation has also resulted in the arrest of ten suspects, who are now being processed as part of the ongoing investigation into the recent violence.

Military assessments suggest that the local dynamics play a crucial role in this escalation. Approximately 2,000 residents in the immediate area belong to the Ja'aba clan, a group affiliated with Hamas. Security officials identified the two gunmen responsible for Friday's attack as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba. Both were members of the Hamas-linked clan and hailed from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood, which has become a focal point for the operation.

The military began evacuating residents from the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods on Friday evening. These densely populated districts are located in western Hebron within the Palestinian urban area. Civilians who wished to leave were allowed to exit temporarily through checkpoints run by the Shin Bet and the IDF. Officials explained that moving civilians out of the way allows personnel to search homes and surrounding areas for weapons, ammunition, and explosives laboratories without risking the safety of the population.

Security officials note that this part of Hebron is well known as a hub for Hamas operatives. The current evacuations are designed to facilitate a deep search for terrorist infrastructure. A situational assessment is scheduled for Saturday to determine if the operation should expand further. In the meantime, Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, who commands the IDF's West Bank Division, has widened search and arrest operations in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, and other parts of Samaria.

This intensified activity occurs against a backdrop of heightened vigilance. There are growing concerns that Hamas leadership abroad may be attempting to coordinate terrorist attacks in the lead-up to upcoming elections. The military's current actions aim to preempt such efforts while addressing the immediate security gaps exposed by the recent loss of life at Yehuda Junction.