Israeli forces, supported by attack helicopters and tanks, have entered the divided city of Hebron (or al-Khalil) in the West Bank, taking control of more than half of its Palestinian-populated areas. According to Palestinians, at least 9 have been killed during this assault. Israeli officials state that the motivation for this military action was the Palestinian attack on a Jewish settlement on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of four Israelis. Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer stated that the aim of the Israeli army is to dismantle the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in the city, not the Palestinian Authority. He mentioned that Israeli soldiers arrested 17 individuals during house-to-house searches and seized explosives, weapons, and mortars. The military operation in Hebron began after Israel and the Palestinians accepted a U.S. plan to end the siege of Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah, West Bank. Under this plan, American and British guards will take responsibility for six Palestinian prisoners wanted by Israel. President Bush praised the actions of both Israelis and Palestinians in accepting this plan, stating it is a positive development indicating that both sides are aware of their responsibilities in ending the conflict. Palestinian officials say that today, American and British officials are expected to arrive in the region to discuss the implementation of this plan.
Israeli Forces Enter Hebron - 2002-04-29
Israeli forces have launched a military operation in Hebron, resulting in the deaths of at least 9 Palestinians, following an attack on a Jewish settlement. The operation aims to dismantle Palestinian terrorist infrastructure and comes after both sides accepted a U.S. plan to end the siege of Yasser Arafat's headquarters. This development is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions and the involvement of international mediators.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Israeli forces attacked Palestinian areas in Hebron, killing at least 9 in response to earlier attacks.
- Israeli forces attack Palestinian-populated areas in Hebron
- Israeli soldiers arrest 17 individuals
- Israeli forces seize explosives, weapons, and mortars
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The military action in Hebron reflects escalating violence and the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%