Two fallen soldiers named
The IDF on Friday cleared for publication the names of two soldiers killed that morning in a shooting attack at a checkpoint near Yehuda Junction, in the Judea Regional Brigade’s area of responsibility, after notifying their families: Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, a squad commander, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon. Both served in the Ari Battalion (775) of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade.
May their families be comforted among the mourners of Zion. May G-d avenge their blood.
Three other soldiers from the battalion were wounded and evacuated to a hospital, and their families were notified. The IDF described all three as lightly injured; a separate report described their conditions as light and moderate.
The two Palestinian terrorists were eliminated at the scene following a reported 20-minute gunfight with Israeli soldiers.
Zamir credits troops with preventing civilian attack
Visiting the scene on Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said:
“The outcome of the encounter with the terrorist cell is painful, but the initial inquiry indicates that the actions of the Ari Battalion troops prevented a serious attack against Israeli civilians.”
Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth also credited the soldiers with thwarting an attack against civilians and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Zamir held a situational assessment with senior IDF commanders, Border Police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) representatives. He said the military had reinforced Judea and Samaria, including deploying the 98th Division headquarters and additional troops, after preparing for possible escalation.
He said recent operations had thwarted numerous attacks, pledged to pursue everyone involved in the shooting, and announced an inquiry to draw lessons.
Zamir said the IDF was at its highest level of readiness across all fronts and would continue proactive operations while acting with composure:
“We will not be drawn into provocations or allow our enemies to influence our actions, particularly as we enter this sensitive week.”
He offered condolences to the families and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
Counterterrorism operation launched in Hebron area
Following Friday’s attack, IDF troops, the Shin Bet, Border Police and personnel from the Judea District Coordination and Liaison Administration launched an operation in the Hebron area from which the terrorists emerged.
In its Friday update, the military said forces had begun targeted searches for weapons and terrorist infrastructure and were questioning suspects. It described the operation as limited to the area from which the terrorists operated and expected it to continue for several days.
The military said residents in the area of operations would be able to leave through three designated exit points after questioning and security screening. Those raising suspicion would be referred for further questioning.
The operation followed the mapping of the terrorists’ residences, cordons around Hebron and Halhul, roadblocks and additional counterterrorism activity across the sector.
Friday’s update also described efforts to demolish illegal structures that could pose a security threat at the encounter site. Security forces were conducting operations at dozens of locations throughout Judea and Samaria to prevent further attacks and protect Israeli civilians.
