Hebron Shootout: Two Militants Killed, Six Settlers Injured in West Bank Attack
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Two militants were killed and six Israeli settlers were injured in a shooting attack near Hebron on Friday. The assailants opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint after realizing they could not proceed to a road used by Israelis. The ensuing 20-minute firefight ended with the militants' deaths. Israeli forces are investigating the incident and plan further arrests and security measures in the Hebron area.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Two militants were killed and six Israeli settlers were injured in a shooting attack near Hebron on Friday.
- The attackers opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint after their passage was blocked.
- The firefight between the militants and Israeli forces lasted over 20 minutes.
- Israeli forces estimate the militants planned a larger attack on a road used by Israelis.
- The Israeli military is investigating the attackers' affiliations and plans.
- Security forces have imposed a cordon around Hebron and Halhul.
A shooting attack near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Friday resulted in the deaths of two assailants and injuries to six Israeli settlers. The incident began around 7:30 AM when the two armed individuals arrived by car at a surprise checkpoint established by Israeli forces at the northern entrance to Hebron, known as "Farsh al-Hawa." The checkpoint was part of routine security measures to monitor Palestinian movement and prevent armed individuals from leaving the city.
The Israeli military reported that the militants, armed with an M4 rifle and a pistol, realized they could not pass the checkpoint to reach Route 35, a road used by Israelis. They then decided to attack the checkpoint itself. The ensuing firefight lasted over 20 minutes, with Israeli soldiers sustaining injuries. Military commanders, including the company commander and deputy battalion commander, along with officers from the Paratroopers Brigade's 101st Battalion, arrived at the scene and eventually killed the two attackers.
Investigators found a large quantity of ammunition in the militants' car. The Israeli army estimates that the attackers had planned a larger-scale attack on Route 35, but their plan was thwarted by the checkpoint. The military stated there were no specific prior warnings or intelligence about this particular operation, but the period is considered sensitive due to the olive harvest season and upcoming Israeli elections, with preparations in place for potential incidents.
An Israeli official noted that there are ongoing attempts to carry out attacks as elections approach. The Shin Bet and Military Intelligence are investigating whether the cell was local or part of a larger, externally directed organization. In the coming days, the Israeli army plans to conduct widespread arrests in the Hebron area, conduct a house demolition survey of the militants' homes, and carry out engineering operations in the region. Security forces have imposed a cordon around Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul, restricting entry and exit.
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