At the same time as Israel has commenced its ground entry into Lebanon and other IDF forces are still operating in Gaza, soldiers from the elite Duvdevan unit entered Shechem to conduct counter-terror activities in the Balata refugee camp in Shechem. The purpose of the mission was to arrest two terrorists in the refugee camp. When they entered the building in which the terrorists were hiding, they were shot at. They returned fire, killing one of the terrorist and injuring the other one.
They also located a gun, charges, ammunition and weapon parts in civilian areas, including in a restaurant and in shops.
Four members of their unit were wounded during the mission, three of them moderately and one of them severely.
They were transferred to the hospital to receive medical attention and their families have been notified.
Right wing activist group Torat Lechima had the following valid questions regarding the op: Why did the Duvdevan fighters not receive air support? Why was the building not destroyed, which would have prevented their needing to enter on foot? Lastly, why weren't the terrorists eliminated earlier, for example during a funeral when they would have been caught by surprise?
