2002 Hebron ambush

The 2002 Hebron ambush took place in the Wadi an-Nasara neighborhood in Hebron in the West Bank on 15 November 2002. Israeli forces were subjected to a double attack by fighters from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The battle was referred to in Israel as "The attack on the worshippers' route" (Hebrew: הפיגוע בציר המתפללים) The place where the attack took place became known as the "Alley of Death" in both Hebrew and Arabic. The ambush was initially dubbed the "Sabbath massacre" (Hebrew: טבח השבת) by official Israeli spokespersons.

The attacks were carried out by three Palestinian fighters in a narrow alley, off of the passage from the Tomb of the Patriarchs to the south gate of Kiryat Arba. Twelve Israeli soldiers and security guards, including three high-ranking officers, were killed in the battle, as were all three of the Palestinian fighters.

The ambush

One of the fighters positioned himself near the front of the entry gate of Kiryat Arba from Hebron. The remaining two fighters positioned themselves near a narrow alley, off the road used as a passage by Jewish worshipers heading to Kiryat Arba from the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Four Nahal Brigade soldiers on patrol, accompanied by Border Police jeeps were heading out of the "Worshippers Way" after patrol that area. In addition, two additional Nahal soldiers were positioned in an observation post located nearby and several more IDF soldiers were located near the exit gate of Kiryat Arba.