IDF Clears 200 Hebron Sites After Two Soldiers Killed

Israeli forces demolished illegally built structures near the northern entrance to Hebron on Saturday, a move that expanded a major security operation initiated by a fatal ambush the previous day.

The campaign follows the killing of St.-Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem at Yehuda Junction on Friday. The military stated that the demolitions were necessary to enforce law and order and remove potential security threats posed by the buildings close to the attack site.

The Judea Brigade commands the operation, which involves personnel from the Duvdevan and Maglan units, the Paratroopers Brigade, Givati reconnaissance reservists, and the Border Police. The Shin Bet security agency provides intelligence guidance. Soldiers have searched approximately 200 locations in the area, ruling out weapons and terrorist activity, and have arrested 10 suspects.

IDF assessments indicate that roughly 2,000 residents in the affected zone belong to the Ja'aba clan. This clan is affiliated with Hamas and is the origin of the gunmen involved in Friday's attack. Central Command officials identified the attackers as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'aba, both of whom hailed from the Ein Dir-Baha neighborhood.

Evacuations began Friday evening in the al-Jalda and Ein Dir-Baha neighborhoods, densely populated districts in western Hebron. Civilians who requested to leave were permitted to exit temporarily through checkpoints operated by the Shin Bet and the IDF. Officials explained that removing residents allows security forces to thoroughly search family homes and surrounding areas for terrorist infrastructure, weapons caches, and explosives laboratories without placing civilians at risk.

A situational assessment is scheduled for Saturday to determine if the operation will expand. Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, commander of the IDF's West Bank Division, has already broadened arrest operations and searches in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, and other locations in Samaria. These actions occur amid concerns that Hamas leadership abroad is orchestrating attacks ahead of upcoming elections.