Israeli security forces have increased their counter-terrorism raids throughout Samaria by more than 90%.
By JNS
Israeli security forces apprehended a terrorist in the Jenin area of northern Samaria who was planning to establish a terrorist network in the area, the Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday.
The arrest took place during a joint IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) operation in Al-Yamun, about five and half miles west of Jenin, guided by intelligence from both agencies.
In a concurrent raid in Bir al-Basha, four additional armed suspects were detained and six weapons were seized.
Elsewhere in Judea and Samaria, operations in the Etzion, Judea and Binyamin Regional Brigades resulted in the arrest of six individuals wanted for terrorist activity.
All detainees and confiscated weapons were transferred to security authorities for further investigation.
No injuries to Israeli forces were reported during the operations.
On Wednesday afternoon, the military announced it had launched a major counter-terror operation in the Judea village of Surif after local Arabs threw rocks and set cars on fire outside a nearby Jewish town.
“Several terrorists from the village of Surif threw stones and set vehicles on fire near Bat Ayin in the Etzion Brigade overnight,” it stated. “Upon receiving the report, the IDF, Fire and Rescue Authority and Israel Police rushed to the scene to handle the incident and extinguish the fire.”
The security forces initiated a brigade operation in Surif, arresting two suspects in the incident and searching “dozens of targets” in the area.
“Following the incident, an investigation was opened by the Judea and Samaria District Police, and efforts to locate additional terrorists and secure the area are ongoing,” according to the military statement.
Meanwhile, the Civil Administration of the Israeli Defense Ministry during the night rescued six Israeli Jews from Palestinian Authority-controlled Area A of Judea and Samaria, the body announced.
A group of four Jews was handed over to the Civil Administration by P.A. police after accidentally entering the city of Jericho in the Jordan Valley.
At the same time, IDF soldiers apprehended a Jew who had driven to Qalqilya to refuel his vehicle, while the sixth Israeli citizen was transferred into IDF custody after entering Bethlehem, Judea.
The IDF announced on Tuesday plans to demolish the homes of four Palestinian terrorists in Samaria, following their involvement in attacks that killed six Israelis and wounded nine others.
The demolition and confiscation orders were issued after the terrorists’ families, whose relatives were killed by security forces, were given the chance to contest the decision in court.
The targeted residences include those of Mohammad Nazal and Mohammad Zakarneh of Qabatiya, linked to a deadly January shooting near Al-Funduq, as well as the home of Wael Lahlouh, responsible for an August attack in the Jordan Valley.
The fourth order concerns the Tubas home of Mohammad Daraghmeh, who killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded eight others during a February assault near Tayasir.
Israeli security forces have increased their counter-terrorism raids throughout Samaria by more than 90%, the commander of the IDF’s Samaria Brigade, Col. A., said over the weekend.
During a meeting with civilian security guards of Jewish communities in the area, Col. A. also revealed that the security forces’ activities have led to a decrease of 75% in stone-throwing attacks, Arutz 7 reported.
The brigade commander stressed the military’s commitment to working in close cooperation with local security.
