IDF Unearths 15-Meter Shaft in West Bank Search

The Israeli Defense Forces identified a hidden underground shaft on Monday during a sweep of the Hebron area. The structure sits in the vicinity of the home of a Hamas operative linked to a fatal attack that occurred on Friday. Military officials described the shaft as approximately 15 meters deep and of narrow width.

The discovery followed an extensive search operation across the West Bank. Security forces inspected roughly 500 Palestinian homes and other sites in the region. The focus of the investigation remained concentrated in the Hebron area. Authorities stated that the search aimed to locate evidence and suspects related to the recent violence.

The two soldiers killed in the attack were identified as Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20. Roytman served as a squad commander from Ashkelon. Svilem was a combat soldier from Hod Hasharon. Both men belonged to the Ari Battalion, part of the Search and Rescue Brigade, according to military records.

The attack took place at the Judea Junction. Two terrorists traveling in a car opened fire on troops at the location. The assailants used an M4 machine gun and a pistol. The soldiers died in combat during the exchange.

Investigators recovered an unidentified electronic device from inside the shaft. The object was transferred to technical units for examination. The presence of the shaft is a notable find, as underground infrastructure is rare in the West Bank. Such structures are more commonly associated with military operations in Gaza and Lebanon than in this region.

The IDF maintains high levels of surveillance in the West Bank compared to other areas of conflict. The discovery of the shaft adds a new layer to the investigation. The military continues to review the electronic device and the physical site. The search operations in the Hebron area remain ongoing.