In a visit to the Menashe Brigade on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi discussed an operation carried out the previous night against Hamas infrastructure in the West Bank and called it an "important achievement."
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Saturday night's action entailed five coordinated arrest raids by the IDF, Israel Police special forces, and the Shin Bet security agency in various locations in northern Samaria. During the ensuing clashes, at least five terrorist fugitives were killed and a number of others wounded. IDF forces also confiscated weapons and ammunition. One extended exchange of fire in the village of Bourkin resulted in two IDF soldiers being seriously wounded, possibly in a friendly fire incident.
"It was a night of thwarting important targets, which stopped the development of major terrorist attacks. These were attacks that could have been executed in Jerusalem, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Afula, or any other place," Kochavi said.
"It's important for us to remember and remind everyone that these preventative actions take place dozens of times a week, which creates security for Israel throughout Judea and Samaria, not just here," he added.
During the operation overnight Saturday, two IDF soldiers were seriously wounded. Kochavi said, "We must probe and study all operational actions, but one thing is clear – [the personnel] here strive to fulfill the mission, and it resulted in a strike that comprised an extremely serious blow to the network that had been operation throughout the Menashe and Binyamin regions."
"The soldiers carried out the operation professionally, with great courage. I send the wounded troops my wishes for a speedy recovery. We will continue to operate in every region, all the time, to guarantee that the citizens of Israel are defended," Kochavi said.
Also on Sunday, commander of the Judea Samaria Division Brig. Gen. Yaniv Alaluf visited the two wounded soldiers in the hospital and told their families: "Your sons are fighters, brave heroes. Their daring actions in the clashes overnight prevented Israeli citizens from being killed and wounded."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
