IDF soldiers dispatched to the area of Beit Aryeh in the West Bank following a suspected terrorist infiltration in the early morning hours on Saturday have concluded their operation, according to a Maariv report.
The Binyamin Brigade conducted an “extensive search in the area, during which no suspects were located…The event has ended, there is no security concern,” the IDF said.
“As of this morning, two suspicious figures were identified in the Beit Aryeh area,” the Beit Aryeh Council said.
Even after the operations ended, the council still asked residents to stay vigilant and contact authorities immediately if they identified someone or something suspicious.
The council’s statement concluded with wishing Beit Aryeh residents a “quiet and safe Shabbat.”
Residents of the community given the all clear
According to the military, two suspects were reportedly seen in the area at 4:29 am Saturday, and soldiers were dispatched to locate them.
The residents of the community were given the all-clear by authorities approximately six hours later, at 11:00 am.
During the investigation, the IDF had informed residents that searches were being conducted in the area, saying, “This is an operational activity intended to ensure the safety of the residents,” Maariv said.
Residents had been told to follow the IDF’s instructions and to continue to stay in their homes to allow forces to conduct their operations without interference.
Residents on lockdown express fear amid the incident
Residents had expressed fear and stress as the incident was being investigated.
“It’s an unpleasant feeling at all, especially when they haven’t found them yet. During the alarm, it was definitely scary and stressful. When you hear the alarm with the announcement of the threat of terrorists entering, it’s definitely scarier than a regular alarm, which you’re prepared for. I assume it will end in a burglary incident, but until it’s finally determined and they’re found, we’re on lockdown. There are military forces roaming the entire settlement, and we’re in the houses,” a resident told Maariv.
Another resident of the community, currently vacationing in the north, told Maariv, “My daughter is alone at home, and there was a very high alert this morning. You can see that there are extensive searches, but they haven’t found anything so far. I told her to close all the doors and windows and not leave the house until the calming message is received.
