The IDF deployed throughout the Palestinian areas of Hebron Saturday hours after 12 Israelis were murdered and 14 wounded when terrorists
opened fire at a security forces safeguarding Jewish worshipers returning to Kiryat Arba after praying at the Machpela Cave on Friday night.
Among the dead was Hebron Brigade commander Col. Dror Weinberg, 38, killed shortly after reaching the site leading his troops in pursuit of the
terrorists. Also killed in the ambush were an IDF officer, a Border Police officer, two soldiers, four border policemen, and three civilian members of
the Kiryat Arba emergency response team, including the security head of Kiryat Arba, Yitzhak Bueinish.
The victims were identified as Border Police officer Ch.-Supt. Samih Sweidan, 31, of Arab el-Aramsha in the Western Galilee; Sgt. Tomer Nov, 19,
of Ashdod; Sgt. Gad Rahamim, 19, of Kiryat Malachi; F.-Sgt. Netanel Machluf, 19, of Hadera; F.-Sgt. Yishayahu Davidov, 20, of Netanya; Sgt. Igor
Drobitsky, 20, of Nahariya; Cpl. David Marcus, 20, of Ma'aleh Adumim; and Lt. Dan Cohen, 22, of Jerusalem.
The three civilian members of the Kiryat Arba emergency response team killed were Bueinish, 46, married and the father of seven children; Alex Tsvitman, 26, married with one daughter; and Alex Dukhan, 33, married and the father of 4 children.
A statement released by the IDF Spokesman declared that the three civilian members of the Kiryat Arba emergency response team will be buried in a
military ceremony in a civilian cemetery. The statement said: "The army has allowed the military burial of the three in a civilian cemetery as the three
defended the Jewish worshipers and participated in the rescue operation of the wounded."
An IDF officer was seriously wounded in the attack, while two border policemen were moderately wounded, and eight soldiers were lightly wounded.
They were taken to Kiryat Arba and from there were transferred by ambulances and IAF helicopters to Jerusalem's Hadassah-University Hospitals in
Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, and Shaare Zedek Hospital.
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was to avenge the death of Iyad Sawalha, the group's commander, killed by security
forces in Jenin last weekend.
The terrorists were armed with M16 rifles, grenades, and eight ammunition clips each.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz received a green light from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to plan to take full control of the city and launch a
widespread operation to destroy the terror cells in Hebron and rout out and arrest terrorists.
Mofaz consulted with senior IDF and security officials in his Tel Aviv office where they assessed the situation and discussed a number of options.
Mofaz is expected to meet with Sharon to reevaluate the situation Sunday morning.
According to a senior security source, the IDF proposed a detailed plan of action, including the option to expand the operation throughout Judea and
Samaria and certain areas of the Gaza Strip.
Large numbers of troops poured into Hebron throughout the day and took up positions in the Palestinian areas. Palestinians reported that scores of
tanks were deployed in Palestinian neighborhoods of the city.
On Saturday, security forces demolished three buildings that overlook the road used by the terrorists as cover and arrested four fugitives and 37
Palestinians.
All entrances and exits to Hebron were closed, and a total closure on the city was imposed. OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, who arrived at the scene with senior IDF officers, later met with with Jewish residents in Kiryat Arba as well as with soldiers under Weinberg's command.
The IDF Spokesman stressed that the attack occurred during the month of Ramadan in Hebron, where the IDF made great efforts to ease the
situation for the Palestinians.
On October 25 the IDF redeployed in the city, leaving most of the points it took up in the Abu Sneineh and Hareth e-Sheikh neighborhood, to
improve the quality of life for the Palestinian population.
"This attack took place on the eve of Shabbat, in an important religious area, underscoring the cruel character of Palestinian terrorists, killing Israelis
without distinction," the IDF statement said.
Kaplinsky reiterated that theme in a briefing with reporters early Saturday morning.
"I would like to remind you that only three weeks ago we redeployed troops in order to allow the Palestinian civilians some semblance of a normal
life," he said. "Due to the incident we are now assessing the operational situation, details which I cannot divulge, but without a doubt a response is
forthcoming and we will respond in a fitting manner," he said.
"I would like to console the residents of Kiryat Arba and the Jewish community in Hebron who paid a heavy price. The Kiryat Arba emergency
response team deserves praise," Kaplinsky said.
Senior officials believe that the terrorists had planned to infiltrate Kiryat Arba and perpetrate an attack there but then opted to open fire on security forces guarding the Jewish worshippers, a security official told The Jerusalem Post.
