Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Ambush Near Hebron

Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilam, 20, from Hod Hasharon, were killed Friday morning in a shooting attack near Hebron. Both soldiers served in the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command's rescue brigade. Three other soldiers sustained minor injuries. The assailants, identified as Firas and Hamouda Al-Ja'aba, relatives from Hebron, arrived at the junction in a car with Israeli license plates and opened fire for over 20 minutes using an M4 rifle and a handgun. IDF forces from the Home Front Command pursued and killed the two militants. The IDF subsequently raided their homes and blocked entrances and exits to Hebron and several surrounding villages. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that a large quantity of ammunition found in the militants' vehicle was intended for a larger-scale attack, and credited the soldiers' swift action with preventing a more severe incident. General Avi Blout remarked that IDF soldiers physically prevented a serious attack against civilians. David Reitman, Ron's brother, described Ron as happy and aspiring to be a physiotherapist, motivated by a past injury. He noted that the attack caught him by surprise, as Ron was just weeks away from his military discharge. Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam and Ron's educator, Daniel, eulogized Ron as a heroic, kind, and helpful individual. Hod Hasharon Mayor Amir Kochavi mourned Yuval, describing him as a beloved son, brother, and friend who grew up in the city. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the IDF would conduct house-to-house searches in the militants' neighborhood, remove weapons, and destroy terror infrastructure. He also indicated that the IDF was blocking access to Hebron and nearby Halhul, considering similar measures for other Palestinian cities, and promised a broad West Bank operation on a scale not seen since the Six-Day War, stating it was imminent and its timing would be determined by Israel.