Fatal shooting and counterterrorism operations
Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, a squad commander, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, were killed Friday morning at a checkpoint near Yehuda Junction. Both served in the Ari Battalion (775), Home Front Command Search and Rescue Brigade.
Three soldiers were hospitalized: the IDF described light injuries; another report described light and moderate injuries. Two Palestinian terrorists were eliminated after a reported 20-minute gunfight.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said an initial inquiry indicated the troops prevented a serious attack on civilians. He pledged to pursue everyone involved and investigate the encounter, and said reinforcements included the 98th Division headquarters.
Following the attack, the IDF, Shin Bet, Border Police and Judea District Coordination and Liaison Administration launched an operation in the Hebron area from which the terrorists emerged. The military reported weapons searches and questioning in an operation expected to last several days.
Residences were mapped, Hebron and Halhul cordoned off, and roadblocks erected. Residents could leave through three exits after questioning and screening; suspicious individuals would face further questioning. Forces also worked to demolish illegal structures posing a potential security threat at the encounter site.
A broader weekend account reported about 40 apprehensions across about 40 areas and 400 locations, focusing on Hamas-associated areas. About 20 apprehensions were reported in the Judea Brigade sector.
Operations included arrests over explosive-device planting in the Etzion sector and an attack near Burin, removal of terrorist memorials and discovery of a hunting rifle near Silat al-Dhahr.
A separate weekly tally reported about 70 arrests based on Shin Bet intelligence, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad affiliates and incitement suspects, and seizures of dozens of weapons, including M16s, Carlo submachine guns and four explosive devices. The tallies’ overlap is unspecified.
Polling and campaign commitments
A roundup three days before the election reported the following projected Knesset seats for Eisenkot’s bloc versus Netanyahu’s bloc: Kan 11, 52–50; Channel 12, 56–50; Channel 13, 54–50; and i24NEWS, 47–59. The Eisenkot-bloc totals exclude the Arab parties.
Ofer Winter’s party crossed the electoral threshold only in the i24NEWS poll. The party led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha crossed only in the Kan 11 poll.
Thousands demonstrated in Rabin Square about 60 hours before polling stations were due to open. Democrats chairman Yair Golan said his party was heading into government, seeking a state commission of inquiry, equality in sharing the burden, protection of democracy, separation of religion and state, action against Palestinian and Jewish terrorism, and diplomatic agreements to end conflicts.
Golan said Channel 14 must sign the Press Council’s ethics code or be shut down, Eli pre-military academy funding would end, and his party would demand the Justice, Education, Public Security and Communications ministries.
Yashar! chairman Gadi Eisenkot said his party would enact a law barring indicted politicians from office, excluding Netanyahu’s current indictment.
Separately, Segal reported that Bennett said legal experts advised him a law barring criminal defendants from serving as prime minister would be unconstitutional and struck down.
The Shin Bet informed Yashar! that Eisenkot would receive private-company protection under Unit 730’s direct supervision and guidance beginning Sunday morning, as specified in its notification.
