Two IDF soldiers wounded, 5 Palestinians killed in anti-Hamas operation

• Published date: 26 September 2021
• Author: ANNA AHRONHEIM
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The head of the Rambam hospital's trauma unit, Dr. Hani Bahus, said that the two were in serious, stable condition and had already undergone a number of surgeries. He added that there was no direct threat to their lives from their "still severe and complicated injuries."

It was not immediately clear who fired the shots that injured the officer and soldier from the elite Duvdevan unit but the military said that an initial investigation is leaning towards the two having been hit by friendly fire.

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The wave of arrests in five different locations in the West Bank targeted a Hamas cell that Israeli security forces had been tracking for several days and was planning an attack. The raids were led by the Duvdevan counter-terrorism unit as well as the Israel Police and Border Police YAMAM and YAMAS counter-terrorism units and the Shin Bet security services.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a statement backing the IDF's overnight operation, saying that "security forces acted tonight in Judea and Samaria against Hamas terrorists who were about to carry out imminent terrorist attacks. "

"The soldiers and commanders in the field acted as expected of them," Bennett said adding that "we fully support them."

Bennett, who was en-route to New York to address the United Nations later tweeted that he was praying for the recovery of Cpt. D and Sgt. Y.

Sources said that the large and heavily armed Hamas cell that was targeted during the arrests planned to carry out attacks in the West Bank. While security forces have arrested some 20 militants belonging to the cell, there are additional suspects who belong to the same cell who have not yet been arrested.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz praised the troops from the IDF, Shin Bet and special forces from the Israel Police who took part in the raids and sent his best wishes to the troops who were injured.

They "acted against a Hamas terrorist cell and prevented the execution of terrorist attacks. We will continue to act in the face of terrorism wherever he may raise his head, on every front, in order to ensure the security of Israeli citizens," he said.

IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ran Kohav told reporters on Sunday morning that Duvdevan special unit troops carried out arrests that took place in the town of Burqin, Jenin, Qabatiya, Kfr Dan, and Bidu north of Jerusalem.

The arrest operation began...