IDF Says It Arrested 6 Suspects, Including One Linked to Hamas, and Seized an M16 in Operation Following Hebron Shooting

MIDDLE EAST

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on its official X account on Oct. 28 (local time) that a counterterrorism operation it has conducted in the West Bank (called Judea and Samaria by Israel) since a terrorist shooting in Hebron had led to the arrest of six suspects, including one linked to Hamas. According to the IDF, they are suspected of involvement in terrorist activity, including planning terror attacks and assisting in carrying them out. Troops seized an M16 rifle, knives, vests and a replica gun. The operation began after Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roitman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Sbilm were killed in a shooting near Judea Junction outside Hebron on the morning of Friday, Oct. 23. The IDF said it had arrested about 50 suspects and searched more than 500 locations in the Hebron operation alone, and also found an underground excavated structure about 15 meters deep near the home of one of the terrorists.

IDF Reports Arrest of 6 Suspects and Seizure of an M16 Five Days After the Shooting

At 3:02 p.m. on Oct. 28 (local time), the IDF posted the results of its West Bank counterterrorism operation on its official English account. The IDF wrote that after Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roitman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Sbilm were killed in last Friday's shooting attack in Hebron, security forces were continuing operations to prevent terrorism in the area.

The IDF said that during the operation, six suspects, including one linked to Hamas, were apprehended and that they are suspected of involvement in terrorist activity, including planning terror attacks and assisting in carrying them out. Of the six arrested, one was identified by the IDF as linked to Hamas. On the items seized, the IDF wrote that troops confiscated weapons including an M16 rifle, knives, vests and a replica gun. The IDF added that it would continue operating to prevent terrorism and maintain security throughout Judea and Samaria. The announcement came five days after the shooting, and the operation around Hebron is leading to arrests and weapons seizures.

Two Soldiers Killed in Oct. 23 Morning Shooting at Judea Junction

The shooting took place on the morning of Friday, Oct. 23, around Judea Junction near Hebron, an area under the IDF's Judea Brigade. At 7:39 a.m. (local time), the IDF first reported that following a report of a shooting attack in the Judea Junction area, numerous IDF troops had arrived at the scene to pursue the terrorists and were setting up checkpoints in the area. Seventeen minutes later, at 7:56 a.m., the IDF announced that troops had eliminated two terrorists, were continuing to search the area and that a closure had been imposed on the area.

The IDF said through its Hebrew account on Oct. 25 that the two terrorists were eliminated after exchanging fire with security forces. In a reply on its English account on Oct. 26, the IDF wrote that they were not simply "gunmen" but terrorists who opened fire on IDF soldiers at a military checkpoint, killing two and wounding other soldiers. By the IDF's count, three more soldiers were lightly wounded in the shooting.

Israel's Foreign Ministry identified the two killed in a post on X on the afternoon of Oct. 23. According to the ministry, Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roitman was a 23-year-old squad commander from Ashkelon, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Sbilm was a 20-year-old combat soldier from Hod Hasharon. Both belonged to the Ari Battalion (775th Battalion). The ministry mourned them, saying its hearts were with their families and loved ones and that their memory should be a blessing.

The ministry's first reaction came before casualties were tallied. At 11:06 a.m. (local time) on the day of the shooting, the ministry called it another murderous attack against Israelis in Judea and Samaria, reporting that five Israelis were wounded in a terror attack near Hebron, two of them critically. The two critically wounded later died, and the ministry confirmed their deaths in an afternoon announcement.

In its afternoon announcement, the ministry said the wave of Palestinian terror was continuing and that two IDF soldiers had been killed that morning in a shooting near Judea Junction. The ministry went on to say that, as the large quantity of weapons and ammunition found showed, a large-scale Hamas terror attack targeting innocent civilians had been thwarted, and that brave soldiers had prevented a far more horrific attack with courage and determination. In its first post that morning, the ministry framed the attack as part of a wave of Palestinian terror targeting Jews, stressing that Palestinian incitement, the Palestinian Authority's "Pay for Slay" policy and an education system encouraging the murder of Jews were fueling the violence, that there could be no justification and no excuse, and that terror must be clearly condemned.

Prime Minister Netanyahu Orders Hebron Closed and Warns There Is Nowhere to Hide

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement through the Prime Minister's Office X account on Oct. 23 after a security assessment with the defense minister, the IDF chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the national security adviser and the head of the IDF Central Command. Netanyahu said that, as the large quantity of weapons and ammunition found showed, Hamas terrorists appear to have planned a major attack to murder innocent civilians, that brave soldiers had thwarted it with courage and determination, and that he commended their actions and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

Netanyahu said he had instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately close the city of Hebron and take additional security measures to prevent terror attacks emanating from Judea and Samaria. He said Israeli forces, together with reinforcements, were thwarting terror and conducting extensive arrest operations, and warned that Israel would pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them anytime and anywhere, telling them they had nowhere to hide.

The head of the IDF Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, also made a statement at the scene of the shooting that day. According to the IDF's Hebrew account, Bluth said a serious terror attack against Israeli citizens had been thwarted that morning thanks to the bravery of IDF soldiers. He said that unfortunately a heavy price had been paid in the exchange of fire, with two soldiers killed, and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Bluth said the IDF is the bulletproof vest of Israel's citizens and that it would close Hebron and Halhul while launching an extensive counterterrorism operation, bringing every terrorist to justice and destroying terror infrastructure of every kind.

IDF and Shin Bet Open 3 Exits and Begin Targeted Operation in Hebron

At 12:18 a.m. on Oct. 24 (local time), the IDF announced that, together with other security forces, it had begun a targeted and limited counterterrorism operation in the Hebron area from which the terrorists came. According to the IDF's Hebrew account, the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Border Police for the West Bank and the Judea District Coordination and Liaison Office (DCO) took part under the command of the Judea Brigade. The IDF wrote that troops had begun precise searches throughout the area to locate and dismantle terror infrastructure and weapons and were questioning suspects.

In its Hebrew announcement, the IDF said the operation was limited to the area where the terrorists operated and was expected to last several days. On residents' movement, the IDF explained that residents of the areas where troops operate could leave through three designated exits after questioning and security screening, and that anyone raising suspicion during screening would be handed to security forces for further questioning. From the morning of the shooting, troops identified the terrorists' homes, closed off the Hebron and Halhul areas, set up checkpoints and carried out counterterrorism activity in villages in their sector. The IDF said security forces were conducting counterterrorism operations in dozens of locations across the West Bank and would continue operating offensively and proactively to protect Israeli citizens, prevent terrorism and remove threats.

The IDF had also carried out arrest operations in the West Bank in the week before the shooting. Through its English account on the morning of Oct. 23, the IDF said that right after the shooting, IDF soldiers and Border Police launched offensive counterterrorism operations in the closed-off Hebron area and elsewhere, and announced that security forces had arrested about 70 wanted individuals over the past week. At the same time, the IDF posted on its Hebrew account that IDF troops had surrounded the city of Hebron and surrounding villages and were entering the terrorists' homes to carry out counterterrorism operations. In that Hebrew announcement, the IDF wrote that those arrested during the week were more than 70 inciters and people linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Security Forces Detain About 40 People in About 40 West Bank Locations Over the Weekend

The IDF posted the results of weekend operations on its English account on the night of Oct. 24. According to the IDF, IDF soldiers, Israel Border Police and the Shin Bet carried out counterterrorism activity over the weekend in about 40 areas and 400 locations across the West Bank, focusing on areas associated with Hamas. Security forces detained about 40 suspects in the process, including terrorists.

The Judea Brigade commanded the Hebron operation. From the day of the shooting, the Judea Brigade closed off the Hebron and Halhul areas and identified the terrorists' homes, and Shin Bet, Border Police and Judea DCO forces moved together under its command. The weekend arrest operations also expanded to several parts of the West Bank beyond Hebron, and the IDF said it targeted areas associated with Hamas first.

IDF Seals the Homes of 2 Terrorists and Arrests About 50 in Hebron Alone

The IDF announced through its Hebrew account on Oct. 25 that Judea Brigade troops had sealed the two terrorists' homes overnight on Sunday, Oct. 25. According to the IDF, the sealing took place after the head of Central Command signed orders for the seizure and temporary sealing of the two terrorists' homes. The IDF said security forces planned to continue the process of demolishing the terrorists' homes. In this announcement, the IDF again noted that Staff Sgt. Roitman and Sgt. Sbilm were killed and three more soldiers lightly wounded in Friday's exchange of fire in Hebron. The sealing came two days after the shooting, and once the demolition process is completed, the two terrorists' homes will be torn down. In the same announcement, the IDF stressed that counterterrorism operations across Hebron were continuing.

That night, soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade and the Maglan unit arrested 12 suspects. Troops seized illegal vehicles and also found weapons. The IDF announced that about 50 suspects had been arrested and more than 500 targets searched in the Hebron operation so far.

In a reply on its English account on Oct. 26, the IDF wrote that the terrorists carried large amounts of ammunition and that IDF soldiers had prevented a much larger attack, and that IDF troops were continuing to operate to locate weapons, dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent further attacks. In another reply, the IDF stressed that IDF soldiers are stationed in Judea and Samaria to respond to real security threats and protect Israeli civilians, and that the recent shooting at a military checkpoint, in which two soldiers were killed and others wounded, showed why they need to be there. The IDF added that the operation was limited to the area where the terrorists operated and was aimed at preventing further attacks.

Underground Excavated Structure About 15 Meters Deep Uncovered Near a Terrorist's Home

On the afternoon of Oct. 26, the IDF announced it had found an underground excavated structure during searches in Hebron. The IDF said it had uncovered an underground excavated structure about 15 meters deep, located near the home of a terrorist involved in the previous weekend's shooting at Judea Junction. According to the IDF, troops found the structure while conducting precise searches of more than 500 locations in the Hebron area.

According to the IDF's Hebrew account, the structure was found on Oct. 25 by troops operating under the command of the Judea Brigade. The troops were thoroughly searching more than 500 points in Hebron. The IDF said an initial assessment indicated there was no exit and that the finding was still under investigation. In its Hebrew announcement, the IDF explained that the structure is in the city of Hebron and not close to Israeli communities. Troops found one electronic device inside the excavated structure and handed it to security forces. The IDF added that it was continuing thorough searches, arrests of suspects and seizures of weapons and illegal vehicles.

The items seized in the Hebron operation are an extension of the West Bank weapons seizure operations the IDF has conducted this year. In a June press release, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that more than 240 firearms had been found in civilian areas of Judea and Samaria so far in 2026.

How the Operation Unfolded Over Six Days, From the Shooting to the 6 Arrests

At 7:39 a.m. on Oct. 23 (Friday), the IDF reported a shooting in the Judea Junction area, and 17 minutes later announced the elimination of two terrorists and a closure of the area. That morning, the Foreign Ministry reported that five Israelis were wounded, and Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered Hebron closed immediately after a security assessment. In the afternoon, the Foreign Ministry announced the deaths of the two soldiers, and Central Command head Bluth announced the closure of Hebron and Halhul and an extensive counterterrorism operation.

At 12:18 a.m. on Oct. 24 (Saturday), the IDF announced the start of a targeted counterterrorism operation in the Hebron area. That night, the IDF tallied about 40 suspects detained at 400 locations in about 40 West Bank areas over the weekend. On Oct. 25 (Sunday), the Judea Brigade sealed the two terrorists' homes, and the Paratroopers Brigade and the Maglan unit arrested 12 suspects. Cumulative arrests in the Hebron operation reached about 50, and searched targets exceeded 500. The same day, troops found an underground excavated structure about 15 meters deep near a terrorist's home, and the IDF disclosed it the following day, Oct. 26. That day, in English replies, the IDF explained that the terrorists had fired on soldiers at a military checkpoint and said the operation was limited to the area where the terrorists operated and aimed at preventing further attacks. On Oct. 28 (Wednesday), the IDF announced the arrest of six suspects, including one linked to Hamas, and the seizure of an M16 rifle.

Judea and Samaria is the Israeli government's official name for the West Bank. Halhul is a Palestinian city adjoining Hebron directly to the north, and the IDF closed both cities together. The Shin Bet (ISA) is Israel's domestic intelligence and security agency, and the District Coordination and Liaison Office (DCO) is a regional arm of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a body under Israel's Defense Ministry that handles civil affairs with Palestinian residents. Maglan is one of the IDF's special forces units. Seizing, sealing and demolishing terrorists' homes is a measure Israel has used as a deterrent against terrorism and requires an order from the head of Central Command to carry out.

The Hebron operation continues. In its Oct. 28 announcement, the IDF said it would continue operating to prevent terrorism and maintain security throughout Judea and Samaria. In his Oct. 23 statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Israel would pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them anytime and anywhere, and Central Command head Bluth vowed to bring every terrorist to justice.

Sources (KST)

• IDF, "COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION IN JUDEA & SAMARIA" (six suspects arrested, M16 seized), 2026-10-28 22:02 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2115428965707915455
• IDF, "Report of shooting at Judea Junction and pursuit", 2026-10-23 13:39 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2113490471078986037
• IDF, "UPDATE: Two terrorists eliminated, closure imposed", 2026-10-23 13:56 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2113494835969560593
• IDF, "Hebron closure and about 70 wanted individuals arrested last week", 2026-10-23 17:21 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2113546344069583125
• IDF (Hebrew account), "Hebron closure and West Bank arrest operations", 2026-10-23 17:07 KST, https://x.com/idfonline/status/2113542822116679886
• IDF (Hebrew account), "Central Command head Bluth's remarks at the scene", 2026-10-23 21:49 KST, https://x.com/idfonline/status/2113613855951597953
• IDF, "Targeted counterterrorism operation in Hebron begins", 2026-10-24 06:18 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2113741929074528638
• IDF (Hebrew account), "Shin Bet, Border Police and DCO take part; three exits", 2026-10-24 05:52 KST, https://x.com/idfonline/status/2113735296651297024
• Israeli Prime Minister's Office, "Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement after security assessment", 2026-10-23 17:16 KST, https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2113544984729178526
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Identities of two fallen soldiers", 2026-10-23 22:05 KST, https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/2113617712605749269
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Condemnation of incitement and Pay for Slay policy", 2026-10-23 17:06 KST, https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/2113542634245329171
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Large-scale Hamas terror attack thwarted", 2026-10-23 21:42 KST, https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/2113611970406416403
• IDF, "OPERATIONAL UPDATE - JUDEA & SAMARIA" (about 40 areas, about 40 people over the weekend), 2026-10-25 03:26 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2114060927456756053
• IDF (Hebrew account), "Two terrorists' homes sealed, about 50 arrested", 2026-10-25 23:39 KST, https://x.com/idfonline/status/2114366273802953057
• IDF, "UNCOVERED: Underground excavated structure about 15 meters deep", 2026-10-26 21:45 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2114699868480368802
• IDF (Hebrew account), "Underground space found next to terrorist's home", 2026-10-26 21:28 KST, https://x.com/idfonline/status/2114695630111007220
• IDF, "Reply: Not simply gunmen", 2026-10-26 23:08 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2114720864004452654
• IDF, "Reply: Large amounts of ammunition and reason for presence", 2026-10-26 23:10 KST, https://x.com/IDF/status/2114721314606854603
• IDF Spokesperson's Unit, "240+ Firearms Found in Civilian Areas in Judea and Samaria," 2026-06 (time unconfirmed), https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/idf-press-releases-israel-at-war/june-26-pr/240plus-firearms-found-in-civilian-areas-in-judea-and-samaria/