Two Roadside Bombs Used in Deadly Jenin Attack, Israeli Army Confirms

Jerusalem, 27 June, 2024 (TPS) -- The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that two roadside bombs were used in a deadly attack on soldiers during a counterterror operation in Jenin on Thursday morning.

According to the army’s preliminary findings, an armored personnel carrier was hit by a bomb buried in the road, injuring several soldiers inside. When troops arrived to evacuate the wounded, a second bomb exploded.

Killed in the second explosion was 22-year-old Cpt. Alon Sacgiu, who commanded a sniper team. Sixteen soldiers were injured, including one seriously, five moderately, and the rest lightly. The majority of the injured were outside their armored vehicles when the second blast occurred. The soldiers injured in the first explosion suffered lighter injuries, primarily smoke inhalation, because of the APV’s protection, the army said.

An armored bulldozer and a backhoe scraped the road for explosives before the soldiers arrived, and it is believed that the explosives were buried deeper than usual. It wasn’t clear if the explosives detonated automatically or by remote control.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Since October 7, approximately 4,150 Palestinian terror suspects have been arrested in counterterror raids throughout Judea and Samaria of whom 40% are associated with Hamas.