IDF Commander From Haredi Background Leads Night Arrests of Hamas Operatives in Qalqilya

i24NEWS accompanied Lieutenant Colonel Shimon Avraham, commander of the Panther Battalion, during a night operation targeting Hamas militants in the city of Qalqilya in the West Bank. The forces entered the narrow alleys of the city as part of an ongoing Israeli military campaign in Judea and Samaria aimed at dismantling terror infrastructures. Since October 7, the Israel Defense Forces have shifted their operational approach in the area, conducting continuous efforts to prevent terror attacks by focusing on refugee camps in Tulkarm and Jenin.

The security establishment views the Judea and Samaria region as a volatile tinderbox, prompting sustained military pressure including targeted arrests and operations. During the operation, i24NEWS reporter Michal Rabinovitch documented the troops’ entry into hostile territory and their handling of the complex mission. Lt. Col. Avraham, who has a personal history marked by trauma as a Haredi child whose mother was murdered, leads the battalion with a deep commitment shaped by his past experiences.

This personal background accompanies Avraham’s daily operational work against terrorism, highlighting the human dimension behind the military efforts in this highly sensitive and dangerous area. The article provides both a close look at the tactical operation and insight into the commander’s inspiring story.