IDF troops, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Border Police officers, and the Judea Regional Brigade launched a counterterrorism operation in the Hebron area following Friday morning's deadly Hamas terrorist attack, the IDF and Shin Bet announced in a joint statement on Friday night.
Security forces are conducting systematic searches for terrorist infrastructure and weapons in the area and questioning dozens of suspects, according to the joint statement.
The operation is focused on the area out of which the terrorists operated and is expected to last several days.
Residents living within the operational area will be permitted to leave through three designated exit points after undergoing questioning and security checks. Anyone who raises suspicion during the screening process will be taken for further questioning by security forces.
The operation follows a series of counterterrorism measures carried out since Friday morning, including mapping the terrorists' homes, sealing off the Hebron and Halhul areas, establishing roadblocks, and conducting operations in nearby villages. Security forces are also removing illegal infrastructure that could pose a security threat near the site of the attack.
Security forces are currently operating at dozens of locations throughout Judea and Samaria as part of ongoing efforts to prevent terrorist attacks, protect Israeli civilians, and eliminate security threats, the statement added.
Terrorists attacked IDF soldiers at Judea Junction
The attack took place at Judea Junction, where two terrorists traveling in a car opened fire on four soldiers stationed at the junction. IDF sources estimated that the attackers had originally intended to continue past the junction and carry out a larger attack on the heavily traveled Route 35, but opened fire after realizing they would be unable to proceed.
Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, were killed in the attack, while three others were lightly wounded.
Both terrorists were killed during the confrontation, and the IDF said no additional terrorists were involved.
Netanyahu orders closure of Hebron following attack
Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to seal off Hebron and prepare for a broader lockdown across the West Bank.
"I have instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately impose a closure on the city of Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria, beginning today," Netanyahu said, adding that the IDF would carry out extensive waves of arrests.
"We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who send them, wherever they are and at any time," Netanyahu said. "You have nowhere to hide."
Yonah Jeremy Bob, Tzvi Jasper, Amichai Stein, and Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.