Two Palestinians Killed Near Hebron After Deadly Exchange of Fire
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two Palestinian Hamas operatives were killed by Israeli forces near Hebron on Friday after a 20-minute firefight that left two civilians dead and three wounded. The assailants, identified as Hamuda and Aal Muhammad Guaba and Firas Samir Muhammad Guaba, were found with a large amount of ammunition, suggesting a more significant attack was planned. In response, Israeli authorities imposed a closure on Hebron and Dura and a full lockdown on the West Bank. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir praised the soldiers who neutralized the attackers, stating their actions prevented a more severe incident.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Two Palestinian assailants were killed by Israeli forces near Hebron after a 20-minute firefight.
- Two civilians were killed and three wounded in the attack by the two Hamas operatives.
- A large cache of ammunition was found in the assailants' vehicle, indicating a planned larger attack.
- Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir praised soldiers, stating their actions prevented a more severe incident.
- A closure was imposed on Hebron and Dura, and a full lockdown on the West Bank followed.
- The attack occurred during a tense period ahead of Israeli elections and the olive harvest.
Two Palestinian assailants, identified as Hamas operatives, were killed by Israeli forces near Hebron on Friday after a prolonged exchange of fire that left two civilians dead and three wounded. The assailants, identified as Hamuda and Aal Muhammad Guaba, 27, and Firas Samir Muhammad Guaba, 27, both from Hebron and fathers of two, reportedly changed their target upon arrival at the scene and opened fire. The ensuing combat lasted over 20 minutes, during which additional forces, including a deputy battalion commander, arrived and neutralized the attackers. A large cache of ammunition was discovered in the assailants' vehicle, suggesting they planned a more significant attack targeting main roads and potentially the Israeli home front.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir praised the soldiers of the Home Front Command's Ari Battalion for their swift action, stating it prevented a more severe attack. He made these remarks during a situation assessment at the Judea Brigade. The condition of two of the wounded is moderate, and one is light. Initial investigations are ongoing to determine if the attackers were part of a cell directed by an external entity or acted on their own initiative.
In response to the attack, a closure was imposed on Hebron and Dura, restricting entry and exit. Additionally, a policy known as "Gray Barrier" was implemented across the Central Command, involving inspections of Palestinian vehicles on main routes. Similar security measures were heightened in Jenin, Nablus, and Jericho to prevent further attacks. Security forces are conducting extensive searches and mapping the homes of the deceased operatives, who were related and lived near each other.
The incident occurred during a tense period, with the olive harvest season underway and Israeli elections approaching. Security forces had been on alert for potential attacks before the elections, with increased troop deployments and the addition of eight companies to bolster operational activities in the West Bank and other areas. The military had also recently restricted all army units from leaving their bases due to the heightened alert.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an immediate closure of Hebron and a full lockdown of the entire West Bank, effective immediately. Magen David Adom paramedics, along with an IDF medical team, treated and evacuated the wounded to Jerusalem hospitals. A paramedic described arriving at a dangerous scene with ongoing gunfire, requiring an armored ambulance for rescue operations.
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