IDF fears recurrence of terrorism wave ahead of Jewish New Year
Five terrorist attacks in less than two days have raised concerns with the Israeli security establishment regarding the possibility of a return to more frequent ‘lone wolf’ terrorist attacks, with the High Holy Days fast approaching.
This is why a total closure has been placed on the West Bank town of Bnei Na’im (only allowing for exceptions in cases of humanitarian need), which was the home of the terrorist who attempted the vehicular attack at Elias Junction in Kiryat Arba on Friday and was subsequently shot and killed. The town, which is located near Hebron and to the east, has also been home to a number of other terrorists in the past year. Now there are concerns that the Friday attacker’s relatives may seek revenge, or gather inspiration to perpetrate their own terror attacks.
The IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division (the territorial division responsible for the West Bank area) commanders have decided to not, as of yet, reinforce its territorial brigades beyond usual weekend parameters, although several battalions are expected to join security efforts once ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
However, security forces in the West Bank area have been instructed to stay aware, especially when on patrol and when in sensitive areas. Judea and Samaria Division officials specifically praised the actions of soldiers from the Nahal Brigade’s 50th Battalion, which has been responsible for the Hebron area in the past few months. Soldiers from the battalion prevented the escalation of several attacks in the past two days, including the two stabbing attacks in Hebron – one on Friday, the other on Saturday.
Friday’s stabbing attack was the first at Hebron’s Gilbert Checkpoint since the attack that occurred in March, in whose aftermath IDF Sergeant Elor Azaria shot and killed a neutralized terrorist. Since then, the guard position has been upgraded, with the intention of increasing the distance between Palestinians undergoing security checks and soldiers. Hebron Territorial Brigade officials are investigating how the attack occurred despite these upgrades.
