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IDF Finds Rare Underground Shaft Near Home of Hamas Attacker in Hebron
By Drooid · · How we work
Discovery of Underground Shaft Near Terrorist’s Home
The Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday that a concealed underground shaft was located close to the residence of a Hamas operative who had killed two IDF soldiers in a Friday attack. The shaft, described by the IDF as roughly 15 meters deep and relatively narrow, was uncovered in the Hebron area of the West Bank. An unidentified electronic device was also retrieved from the shaft and handed to investigators for analysis.
Context of West Bank Operations After Soldier Fatalities
The shaft discovery follows a broader IDF sweep of approximately 500 Palestinian homes and other sites across the West Bank, with a focus on Hebron. The sweep was launched in response to the killing of Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon, who were shot by terrorists wielding a machine gun during the Friday assault. The two soldiers, a squad commander in the Ari Battalion of the Search and Rescue Brigade and a combat soldier respectively, were named by the IDF as the victims of the attack.
Details of the Shaft and Findings
Underground shafts are extremely rare in the West Bank, where Israeli forces maintain tighter control and surveillance compared to Gaza or southern Lebanon. While tunnels have been a hallmark of Hamas operations in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IDF noted that such subterranean structures are uncommon in the Hebron region. The electronic device found inside the shaft has not been identified, and its purpose remains under investigation.
Official Responses
The IDF emphasized that the discovery underscores the ongoing security challenges in the West Bank and highlighted the continued effort to locate and neutralize hidden infrastructure that could be used for militant activities. The agency indicated that the device will be examined by forensic teams to determine any links to the recent attack.
Implications for West Bank Security
The find illustrates a potential shift in militant tactics within the West Bank, prompting Israeli authorities to expand search operations beyond surface-level inspections. Analysts note that the rarity of such shafts may lead to heightened scrutiny of residential areas in Hebron and surrounding locales as the IDF seeks to prevent future attacks similar to the one that claimed the two soldiers’ lives.