Israeli Woman and Daughter Rescued in Bethlehem

Israeli authorities overnight rescued a Jewish-Israeli woman and her young daughter after they were found inside the center of Bethlehem, an area where Israeli entry is illegal and considered life-threatening, the IDF reported Wednesday.

Bethlehem is classified as Area A under the Oslo Accords and is under full civil and security control of the Palestinian Authority. Israeli law explicitly prohibits Israeli citizens from entering such areas due to the high risk of violence, including lynching and abduction.

According to the Civil Administration, officers received a report during the night that a woman and a small child were wandering through central Bethlehem, placing their lives in immediate danger. Coordination and Liaison officers were dispatched to secure the pair and transfer them safely to IDF forces. The two were unharmed.

A preliminary investigation found that the woman entered Bethlehem deliberately, rather than by mistake. Following the extraction, the case was transferred to Israeli police for further handling.

The incident comes amid a noticeable rise in cases of Israelis entering Area A, either intentionally or through poor navigation, at a time of heightened tensions and ongoing Hamas incitement. Security officials have warned that such entries significantly increase the risk of violent attacks and can quickly inflame the broader security situation.

Just this week, the IDF said it carried out multiple rescue operations throughout Judea and Samaria. On Tuesday, Israeli forces retrieved three civilians who entered Area A, including one person in the town of Ni’lin and two others in Husan. Over the weekend, another Israeli woman was rescued from Jericho after entering the city with an Arab acquaintance and later contacting authorities out of fear she was being held against her will.

Despite a gradual return of tourism to Bethlehem ahead of Christmas, Israeli security officials continue to stress that the legal and security status of the city has not changed.

Defense officials again urged Israelis to strictly follow travel restrictions, emphasizing that entry into Area A is illegal, dangerous, and places both civilians and rescue forces at risk.