An IDF officer and three soldiers were injured on Wednesday night, during activity to secure the coordinated entrance of Israeli civilians to Joseph’s Tomb in the city of Shechem (Nablus), as a result of an explosive device detonating next to them.
The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, their families have been informed. The officer was lightly injured, two of the soldiers were apparently lightly injured, and an additional soldier was moderately injured.
The explosion occurred when the security forces were operating to secure the route, not on the route of the coordinated entrance of Israeli civilians to Joseph’s Tomb.
The IDF noted that the coordinated entrance of Israeli civilians to Joseph’s Tomb will continue to operate as usual.
The Nablus Battalion, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for detonating the bomb.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 39 Palestinian Arabs were wounded during clashes with the Israeli security forces.
The Samaria Regional Council stated that at the moment there is no information about the cancellation of the entrance of the worshipers to Joseph's Tomb.
"Contrary to the publications distributed on the internet, as of this moment, we have not received any notification about the cancellation of the entrance to Joseph's Tomb. We are strengthening the security forces that are guarding our country."
MK Tzvi Sukkot tweeted, "A delay on the way to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem following a security incident. We pray from the bottom of our hearts for the safety of the IDF soldiers and commanders who are securing the entrance. Terrorism must be crushed. Without stopping for a moment."
Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Strock responded, "The events of Shechem tonight are the inevitable, bloody, and painful product of the protocols of the Oslo government that were revealed last night. Mahmoud Abbas and his followers did not come here to 'clean the streets of Shechem,' but rather to fill them with terrorism. We must get out of the Oslo concept! Recognize the enemy, and eliminate his capabilities."