Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou quickenest me; Thou stretchest forth Thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand doth save me. (Psalms 138:7)
- Israeli soldiers training in the South Hebron Hills. (Photo: Edi Israel/FLASH90)
Three Palestinian terrorists planning a number of attacks on Israeli civilians were killed in the on Tuesday in a joint Shin Bet and Israel Police operation in the town of Yatta, just south of the holy city of Hebron, according to The Times of Israel.
Two of the suspects, whom the army said were members of a “Salafist jihadi” group, were shot dead in their car after they refused to surrender themselves to security forces. They were carrying “explosive devices and 2 handguns,” the army said in a statement. A third man was killed in a gun battle “following a hot pursuit,” IDF spokesman Peter Lerner said.
No Israeli personnel was injured in the attacks.
The IDF said the organization to which the two belonged had over the past months attempted to set up an extensive military infrastructure across the West Bank. The organization had planned to target Palestinian Authority structures and personnel, in addition to Israeli soldiers and settlers, the statement said.
The operatives had allegedly prepared hideout apartments, bought weapons, and produced explosives.
“This terrorist network is just a sample of those who try to harm Israeli civilians and undermine the existing security stability,” Lerner said.
“Operational access combined with quality intelligence gives us the upper hand on these evildoers and their beastly intentions,” he added. “It is our obligation to prevent them from fulfilling their detestable fantasies.”
Israeli defense officials and analysts have warned in recent weeks that the West Bank may be heading for another violent uprising, citing a rise in the number of rock-throwing and Molotov cocktail attacks.
