Thursday morning's attack at the Tunnel Checkpoint greatly frustrated the security forces, which have been making significant efforts in recent months to eradicate terrorism in the Judea governorate. But the fact that the terrorists came from Hebron did not surprise anyone.
The moment the terrorist was killed in the attack at the Tunnel Checkpoint // Photo: The use is made in accordance with section 27A of the Copyright Law
The challenges in the Judea governorate, which includes Hebron, Halhul, Dora and other communities, are slightly different from those of northern Samaria, an area from which many terrorist attacks have emerged in recent months. The governorate is considered a clear Hamas stronghold with great explosive potential, certainly since the outbreak of the Iron Sword War. Hebron is the focal point. "This is a city that should bother us greatly," says a senior IDF source.
Gaza and Hebron have many blood ties, and many clans are shared by the two cities. For this reason, Hamas has deep roots in both. Hamas won nearly 100 per cent in the last Palestinian Authority elections in Hebron. It is a religious, extremist and ideological city, and the IDF sees the potential for an explosion in the immediate future. That is also why he took upon himself the challenge of cleansing Hamas of Hebron and the surrounding area. This is a significant task that will take a long time.
Hamas supporters in Hebron, photo: REUTERS
The operation, conceived by Central Command Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs, was carried out in the Judea Regional Brigade, and the intention is to expand the activity in additional areas.
This is an unprecedented effort to topple Hamas by consolidating intelligence with advanced counterterrorism capabilities in the city. In order to carry out the mission, various capabilities in the IDF were combined in order to maximize the effort. These include reservists, the Shin Bet, intelligence, the Civil Administration and other elements. Intelligence agencies provide verified and extensive information, a legal adviser provides the necessary permits, and the operational end makes the actual arrests.
The first brigade in which the operation operates is the Judea Brigade, led by its commander, Colonel Yishai Rosilio. The result is the detention of many terrorist elements and incitement for a much longer period of time than we were used to before the war. The intention is to continue hunting activists, seizing money and "charitable associations" and more.
Riots in Hebron (archive), photo: AFP
The Judea District holds the record for arrests and operations in Judea and Samaria. "We carried out more than 450 activities in the area and we have 350 detainees. This is just the beginning as far as I'm concerned," the official explains. "This is a massive increase in activity. In a month and a half, we carried out ten months of activity, and this is only the opening shot."
Deterrence has been compromised
"There are those who will say that the area is deterred, but I believe they are waiting for the right timing," the source explains. "The claim that the other side is deterred should come out of the discourse. We were arrogant enough, and we should come with a lot of humility to this matter. There's nothing that won't happen, and we need to come prepared. Yesterday, we failed in our mission, and an attack came out of Hebron now, when we are all on alert, so as far as I'm concerned, we need to examine ourselves carefully. If such an attack can be carried out, anything can happen."
The terrifying scenario for which Judea and Samaria is preparing is squads or even masses storming an Israeli community, and therefore the IDF is taking significant actions to defend the communities.
Israeli security forces at the scene of the attack at the Tunnel Checkpoint, photo: Israel Police Spokesperson's Office
"In Operation Guardian of the Walls there were 400 people advancing towards Beit Hagai, so thousands are advancing to a Jewish community now?" he explains. "It's a likely scenario. If there had been deterrence prior to 7 October, it has now been significantly damaged. What happened made our enemy believe it was possible."
Inciting imams arrested
The working assumption now is significantly different from what it was before the fighting. Over the past year and a half, attempts have been made to allow the PA to regain control of the Jenin area, which has proven ineffective. Now the IDF is operating massively in all Palestinian towns and villages. "There are places where we thought that if we didn't enter, we would create stability," the source says. "It's wrong thinking. The potential in Jenin is not more severe than in other places, but a more significant touch was needed. If there is a Jewish community in Hebron, it means that you must be in Hebron to protect it."
In Hebron, inciting imams were arrested and senior officials in the city were summoned for warning talks. "The state has set itself an obvious but complex goal – to eliminate Hamas, not only in Gaza. It's a huge event – and possible, but it's not Zbang and we're done. We must come out of the war with Hamas on the floor and with a victory for years. Anyone who raises a Hamas flag must understand that his blood is in his head. That he puts himself, his family and those around him in mortal danger."
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