2 IDF Soldiers Killed in Hebron Checkpoint Shooting Before Election
Netanyahu orders full closure of West Bank city as military investigates the attack claimed by Hamas.
By Jason Cooper ·
Tensions in the West Bank reached a flashpoint this week as two Israeli soldiers died in a shooting near Hebron.
The attack occurred on Friday morning, Oct. 23, at a temporary checkpoint near Yehuda Junction. Two Palestinian gunmen, both 27 and residents of Hebron, arrived by car around 7:30 a.m. and opened fire with an M16 rifle and a handgun. A gun battle lasting more than 20 minutes followed before troops killed the two attackers.
The IDF identified the slain soldiers as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20. Both served in the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command. Three other soldiers from the same unit were wounded and transported to hospitals in Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by ordering a full closure of Hebron. The city, with a population of over 200,000, was placed under a complete siege, barring all entry and exit. Security forces also began searching the homes of the terrorists and additional suspects.
Netanyahu stated that the IDF will apply a more aggressive counterterrorism model in Hebron. He vowed to pursue Hamas and those who send them everywhere. The military said the gunmen had intended to reach Route 35 to attack civilians but were stopped at the checkpoint. A large quantity of ammunition found in their vehicle suggested they planned a larger-scale operation.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. The IDF and Shin Bet are investigating whether the gunmen acted independently or as part of a larger network. The military noted that no specific intelligence warning preceded the shooting, though forces were on heightened alert ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
The incident comes during a volatile period for the region. The United Nations recorded at least 160 settler attacks linked to the olive harvest in the first two weeks of October. Rabbi Howard Cove of Beiteinu said he trusts the IDF to handle the threat but emphasized the need for responsible justice. The elections are scheduled for next week.
Source: The Jewish Exponent
