The IDF spokesperson said Friday evening that an unusual incident unfolded in the Jericho area after security officials received a report of a suspected abduction of an Israeli civilian. Upon receiving the report, IDF forces rushed to the scene and began searches in the area.
At the same time, Civil Administration forces worked to establish contact with the woman. After contact was made, they located her and ensured her protection until she was reunited with security forces. “The civilian was rescued, with no injuries reported in the incident,” the IDF spokesperson said, stressing that Israeli civilians are prohibited by law from entering Area A and that doing so is dangerous.
According to an initial security assessment, the young woman, an Israeli Russian speaker, was abducted by a Palestinian into Jericho. After realizing she was in a Palestinian city, she tried unsuccessfully to escape from the vehicle. According to her testimony, she was taken into an apartment, where additional Palestinians arrived and allegedly assaulted her.
She managed to escape and report the incident while hiding in Jericho for about 40 minutes, until Palestinian police located her and transferred her to the IDF. Security forces are now preparing to enter the city to locate suspects involved in the incident.