It happened again.

In 2002, on the first day of the huge Sukkot celebrations, early evening, an Arab terrorist opened fire near the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. As a result, Rabbi Shlomo Shapira from Jerusalem was killed.

Fast forward: Sukkot, September 2013, eleven years later. Almost the same exact time. An Arab terrorist shoots, killing an Israeli soldier, near the “Beit Merkachat” intersection in Hebron. As with Rabbi Shapira, the soldier never really had a chance. A bullet penetrated his neck, leaving an entrance and exit wound. Medical personnel did everything humanly possible. But it wasn’t enough.

Prior to the killing, I could define today as “interesting.” Actually I really don’t know if that’s the right word to use.

More than 10,000 people arrived in Hebron Sunday, filling Ma’arat HaMachpela, walking the streets, visiting the Avraham Avinu neighborhood, all having a good time. One of the day’s highlights was the opening of the Cave of Otniel ben Knaz to Jewish visitors, an event occurring only very few days during the year. This, because the site is located on the “Arab” H1 side of the city.

On holidays, such as today, the 300 meter walk from the “Kikar HaShoter” checkpoint to the holy site is heavily protected, allowing visitors, escorted by soldiers or police, to view and worship at the cave.

But earlier, prior to its opening, I’d received notification of trouble. A firebomb was hurled at soldiers in the area. Rock-throwing, an almost normal occurrence in Hebron, was starting. But the security forces had the situation under control, and dozens and dozens of people walked back and forth to the place.

Me, too. Today was the first day of our special VIP tour. A busload of Hebron friends and supporters visited our newly initiated Tel Hebron overlook, on the roof of Beit Menachem, in Tel Rumeida. They also heard a short talk from Mrs. Tzippy Shlissel (whose father, Rabbi Shlomo Ra’anan, was killed by terrorists in Hebron), and then, too, participated in the walk to the fascinating Cave of Otniel.

I had the privilege to escort a wonderful woman whom I’ve known for about 15 years, Mrs. Ruth Simons, 91 years young, but you’d never know it. When we arrived at the Cave, she climbed up the stairs on her own two legs, entering the site for the first time in her life.

But, honestly, on the way there, and on the way back, I wasn’t entirely relaxed. I’ve done this many times before, and people here, well, sometimes we develop “antennas” which pick up vibrations in the air. And the vibes were definitely there.

Everything and everyone were in place – soldiers, border police, regular police, but, at the same time, booms from stun grenades and rubber bullets being shot at distant attackers, filled the air. It wasn’t, as it usually is, a quiet walk. I was very impressed by my guests. Ruth and her family, who didn’t seem phased in the least. They took it all in stride.

But my insides, my gut, didn’t like it. It is a disgrace for Jews to have to walk down a street to the tune of stun grenades exploding, not too far from them, on a Jewish holiday. Or on any day, for that matter.

But we did it, and that was that.

Later, our guests were treated to a delicious lunch at the Yeshivat Shavei Hebron sukkah and then visited Machpela. After they left, I recalled, for some reason, Rabbi Shlomo Shapira’s murder, as I walked past the site of that terror attack, back to the office.

A little while later, at 6:30, I received a call from my son, who works with security in a community outside of Hebron, asking about the shooting.

“What shooting?”

“There was a shooting and someone was hit.”

It didn’t take long to get preliminary details, where, when, and the victim’s condition: very critical. Together with a few others, we watched soldiers and police running back and forth, huddling, talking in whispers. Ambulances, their red lights flashing, driving by, in all directions. There wasn’t too much else to do, except wait.

Later tonight we’ll meet, and talk, to discuss our reactions.

The first reactions are easily expressible. First, our shock and pain at a young soldier’s death, as a result of an Arab terrorist sniper’s bullet.

In response to the murder of IDF soldier Gabriel Kobi on Sunday, in Hebron, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given orders to act immediately and permit the return of Jewish residents to the “Patriarch House” in Hebron.

Netanyahu said, “Whoever tries to uproot us from the city of our forefathers will achieve the opposite. With one hand we will fight terror, and hurt the terrorists, and we will continue with the other hand to strengthen the settlements.”

Under the previous government, former Defense Minister Ehud Barak evicted the Jewish residents of the “Patriarch House”, with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s tacit approval. A court determined that the sale of the “Patriarch House” to the Jews of Hebron was legal, but they required the Defense Minister’s signature, which wasn’t forthcoming.

The Hebron Jewish community blessed the Prime Minister’s decision to restore Jewish residency in the legally purchased property. The community added that the government is fulfilling their historical and moral duty to return Jews to the city of our forefathers, and should take all necessary steps. Security should be increased so that Sgt. Gabriel Kobi is the last victim.

If and when Jewish residents are actually allowed back into “Patriarch House”, we’ll let you know.

Only one question remains, why did a soldier need to be killed for Netanyahu to finally correct this injustice he permitted in his previous government?

IDF Staff Sergeant Gabriel Kobi (20), from Tirat Carmel, was killed on Sunday after being shot by an Arab sniper in Hebron.

Kobi was standing in the same general area where a few years ago another Arab sniper shot and killed a Jewish baby, Shalhevet Pass.

The city of Hebron is currently under lockdown as the IDF searches for his killer.

Kobi is the second IDf soldier killed in 3 days by Palestinian Authority Arabs.

On Friday, another Arab lured an off-duty Air Force soldier to an area near his village, where he then killed the him, and dumped the soldier’s body into a well.

An IDF soldier was fired upon by Arab Terrorists and critically wounded in Hebron on Sunday evening.

Arab snipers fired on a military position, one soldier was hit in the neck and is in critical condition. The shooting was exactly where the baby, Shalhevet Pas, was killed years ago by an Arab sniper.

The soldier was airlifted to Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem.

The Hebron area is currently under complete lockdown and large security forces have gathered at the scene. Searches are underway for the attackers.

This attack takes place during the traditional Sukkot celebrations currently underway in Hebron.

Residents of the “Nof” neighborhood of Beit El found themselves under a barrage of stones this evening as they were outside building their Sukkahs.

The Arab assailants were very surprised to discover that these Beit El residents weren’t very passive when it came to responding to the Arab attacks. The Beit El residents quickly reacted, damaging the vehicles of the assailants.

In other stone throwing incidents today, Arabs threw a rock into an oncoming car near Ramallah. There were no injuries in that attack.

There were also quite a number of other stone throwing incidents today near Hebron, Afikim, Itamar, Efrat, Beit El, Mevoh Dotan, El Hadr, and along Road 60. Vehicles were damaged in some of the attacks.

Reports for HaKol Hayudi were used in this report.

It’s estimated that 13,000 Jews visited Ma’arat HaMachpelah (the Tomb of the Patriachs) today for tours and the evening Selichot prayers ahead of Yom Kippur.

Among those that will be at this evening’s Selichot prayers are the Chief Rabbis of Israel, city rabbis, MKs and government ministers.

There have been reports of Arabs stoning buses transporting Jews to and from Hebron.

12:17 PM An Egged bus #160 went off the road near Kiryat Arba on Road 60.

Approximately 20 people were injured, 2 seriously. There are no dead, and a helicopter has been called in to transport some of the more seriously wounded.

On Tuesday afternoon, Arabs in Hebron threw stones and shot slingshots at homes in Beit Hadassah and Beit Schneerson.

Arabs have also been throwing stones at cars in Gush Etzion, and at a bus near the Old City’s Damascus Gate.

In the Binyamin region, Arabs have been throwing firebombs at cars on the road.

The fire department is putting out fires around Hadassah Hospital on Har Hatzofim that Arabs started in a mini-riot.