IDF Chief Vows Pursuit of Attackers After Judea Junction Shooting

The attack began around 7:15 AM when two terrorists, identified as Hamuda Juaba and Firas Juaba from Hebron, emerged from a vehicle armed with an M4 rifle and a pistol. They opened fire on an ad-hoc military checkpoint. The soldiers engaged the terrorists in combat and neutralized them, preventing them from carrying out their initial plan to target civilian routes 35 and 60.

IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited the scene and conducted a situational assessment with senior commanders, including Central Command chief Major General Avi Bluth. Zamir revealed that a large quantity of ammunition was discovered in the terrorists' vehicle, indicating they had planned a much larger-scale attack. He praised the swift actions of the soldiers for preventing a more severe incident.

In response to the attack, the IDF placed Hebron and surrounding villages under closure and intensified arrest and intelligence-gathering efforts. The IDF reinforced troops in Judea and Samaria, deploying the 98th Division headquarters to the area to prepare for potential escalation and to pursue anyone else involved in the attack.