New details emerging Friday morning suggest that the two terrorists eliminated by IDF forces following the shooting attack at Yehuda Junction, near Chevron, may have been planning a much larger massacre.

Five Israelis were wounded in the attack, including two who were initially listed in critical condition.

According to Israeli security officials, a large quantity of ammunition was discovered inside the terrorists’ vehicle, raising suspicions that the gunmen intended to continue their journey and carry out a much larger attack against Israeli civilians.

The terrorists were traveling in a vehicle bearing Israeli license plates, apparently allowing them to move through the area without immediately attracting suspicion.

Security officials believe that a temporary IDF checkpoint established in the area may have disrupted their plans, forcing the terrorists to open fire before reaching their intended destination.

The attack began at approximately 7:15 a.m. Friday on Route 35, near Yehuda Junction, when the two terrorists, armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun, opened fire at a group of Israelis.

A prolonged gun battle erupted between the terrorists and Israeli security forces, lasting more than 20 minutes.

Emergency responder Ofer Ohana, who arrived while the shooting was still underway, documented the terrifying scene, describing how the ongoing gunfire prevented rescue teams from immediately reaching the wounded.

IDF soldiers eventually eliminated both terrorists.

Among the soldiers involved were members of the Ari Battalion of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade, which was deployed in the area for operational duties. Additional forces, including battalion commanders, were dispatched to help bring the incident to an end.

According to Magen David Adom, five people were wounded in the attack. Two victims were initially assessed as being in critical condition.

Two additional victims were evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim in moderate, stable condition. A fifth victim was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital with light injuries.

Rescue teams described an extremely dangerous scene, with medics forced to operate under active gunfire. MDA personnel entered the area using a bulletproof ambulance to evacuate victims suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds.

Following the attack, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military to prepare for the possibility of deploying additional reinforcements to Central Command.

IDF forces launched extensive operations throughout the Chevron area, imposing closures on several Palestinian villages, establishing additional checkpoints and blocking roads.

Elite Duvdevan commandos and aerial assets were also deployed to assist in searches and investigate whether additional terrorists were involved.

Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and the commander of the 98th Division arrived at the scene to oversee ongoing operations.

The attack comes amid heightened security concerns ahead of Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections.

During an October 14 security assessment, Zamir warned of the possibility of escalating violence due to an unusually high number of intelligence warnings.

Earlier this week, he ordered additional military readiness measures, including reinforcements to Central Command, increased command presence and restrictions on soldiers leaving their bases beginning Thursday.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)