Two IDF Soldiers Die of Wounds After Stopping Larger Terror Attack Near Hebron
The soldiers’ unit intercepted terrorists believed to have been heading toward Israeli civilians on Route 35. Central Command chief Avi Bluth said their bravery prevented a major attack.
Two IDF soldiers critically wounded in Friday morning’s terror attack near Hebron died of their wounds, as details emerged of a larger attack their unit prevented. The terrorists were carrying substantial ammunition, and the military’s initial assessment indicates they intended to attack Israeli civilians beyond the checkpoint where soldiers stopped them.
The IDF identified the fallen soldiers as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, a squad commander, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, a combat soldier. Both served in the Ari Battalion, numbered 775, of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade. Their families have been notified.
Three other soldiers from the battalion sustained light injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment, the military said. Both terrorists were eliminated during the confrontation.
Speaking at the scene, IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth said the soldiers had prevented a serious attack against civilians.
“A serious attack against Israeli civilians was prevented this morning thanks to the bravery of IDF soldiers. Tragically, we paid a heavy price in the confrontation and lost two soldiers. I extend my condolences to their families,” he said.
Terrorists were heading toward a larger target
The military’s preliminary assessment indicates the terrorists intended to reach Route 35 and attack civilians traveling along the road. They encountered the soldiers’ checkpoint before reaching the highway and opened fire on the force. The precise intended target remained under investigation.
The ammunition recovered from their vehicle reinforced the assessment that they had prepared for a broader attack. In remarks published by Arutz Sheva, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the soldiers’ rapid response prevented further harm to civilians and security personnel, and that the ammunition was intended for an attack on a larger scale.
Bluth described the soldiers’ actions in direct terms: “The IDF is the protective shield of Israel’s citizens. Today, our soldiers put their own bodies between the terrorists and civilians, preventing a serious attack.”
Counterterrorism operation in Hebron and Halhul
Bluth announced a significant counterterrorism operation alongside a cordon around Hebron and Halhul.
“We will bring all the terrorists to justice and destroy terrorist infrastructure of every kind,” he said.
The operation follows a confrontation in which the Ari Battalion stopped the attackers before they could reach the civilians the military believes they intended to target. For Roytman and Svilem’s families, that intervention came at the heaviest possible cost.
