The Israel Defense Forces began a massive offensive in Hevron on Wednesday night, with the aim of stopping the continued terror plaguing the Hevron region - where, in less than three months, 22 Israelis have been murdered. Using tanks and ground forces, the IDF began a sweeping search for terrorists and weapons. Last night they blew up two terrorist homes, one belonging to the killer of 10-month-old Shalhevet Pass, and the other belonging to a terrorist who was apprehended last week just before carrying out a suicide attack in Tel Aviv. Several terrorist leaders have also been arrested.
A Hevron Jewish Community spokesman said, "It's about time. Finally, after weeks and months of procrastination, Ariel Sharon and Sha'ul Mofaz gave the [right] orders... The only problem with this policy is that it comes following the deaths of 22 people... Why did it take so long? Lives might well have been spared had the orders been issued months ago! ... Let's hope that Sharon will allow them to finish the job, and, having learned the lesson the hard way, the IDF will remain in all of Hevron, including the surrounding hills and the Arafat-controlled side of the city... This must be followed up by identical measures throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza."
A Hevron Jewish Community spokesman said, "It's about time. Finally, after weeks and months of procrastination, Ariel Sharon and Sha'ul Mofaz gave the [right] orders... The only problem with this policy is that it comes following the deaths of 22 people... Why did it take so long? Lives might well have been spared had the orders been issued months ago! ... Let's hope that Sharon will allow them to finish the job, and, having learned the lesson the hard way, the IDF will remain in all of Hevron, including the surrounding hills and the Arafat-controlled side of the city... This must be followed up by identical measures throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza."