The first instinct is to view the events of recent days as a wave of terror. Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in two days seems like a trend, especially as the incidents occurred so close together after a relatively prolonged period of quiet.
But both the IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) asserted on Sunday night, with all due caution, that not only was there no connection between the events, but also that there are no signs of an uptick in terrorist activities. In fact, the number of warnings of attacks actually decreased in recent weeks, which was perhaps why the Sunday evening shooting attack in Hebron in which Givati Brigade Staff Sgt. Gal (Gabriel) Kobi was killed was so surprising.
There was no prior warning before the attack took place. Afterward, the IDF conducted a broad search throughout Hebron in an effort to track down the shooter. The preliminary investigation into the attack found that Kobi was part of a force providing general security outside of the Jewish community in Hebron. The mission of these troops was to ensure the safety of the thousands of worshippers travelling to and from the Cave of the Patriarchs during Sukkot. Kobi was wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest. A single shot struck him in the neck. The soldier standing next to Kobi at the junction did not hear the shot and was surprised to see Kobi suddenly collapse beside him. As part of the initial probe, investigators looked into the possibility that this was a friendly fire incident, but as of last night they had become increasingly convinced that a Palestinian sniper was responsible for the shooting.
Kobi was the third Israeli fatality in Judea and Samaria in 2013. The first was Evyatar Borovsky, killed at the Tapuach Junction in April, and the second was Sgt. Tomer Hazan, killed on Friday near Qalqiliya. Investigators in the Hazan case believe the soldier had illegitimate motives for travelling to Judea and Samaria with his killer, making this another example of a criminal platform being used for terrorist purposes.
Despite the lack of connection between deaths of Hazan and Kobi, Israel's defense establishment was concerned on Sunday night that certain groups would try to take advantage of the volatile situation. This fear is particularly pertinent given that Kobi's death took place in Hebron, the scene of many attacks over the years. In Hebron, the words "Palestinian sniper fire" remind everyone of the attack early in the Second Intifada in which infant Shalhevet Pass was killed.
Against this backdrop, Israeli and Palestinian security officials held talks throughout the night. They were hoping to prevent an escalation in Hebron, which will be a particularly sensitive friction point in the coming days as many Israelis make pilgrimage there.
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