Israeli security forces operated throughout Samaria over the weekend to prevent celebrations of terrorism as Jerusalem prepares to free hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners under the ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza.
As part of the operation, which included the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Israel Border Police and the Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration, 15 suspects were arrested.
In the villages of Silwad and Ni’lin, both located in the Binyamin region of southern Samaria, forces broke up pro-terrorist rallies, confiscated vehicles with Hamas flags and other “inciting symbols,” and detained eight suspects who took part in celebrations, the IDF said.
During additional raids, seven others were detained on incitement charges, including Abd al-Aziz Khamaysa, accused of having a pro-terrorist social media account with tens of thousands of followers.
Khamaysa is the brother of Islam Khamaysa, a Hamas operative from Jenin who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in May 2024, the IDF noted.
Israeli forces “are continuing preparations to prevent acts of incitement and events in support of terrorism as part of the release of the terrorists,” the statement said, adding that “warning calls to prisoners’ families began in recent hours and will continue throughout this week.”
The Justice Ministry on Friday released the names of the 250 Palestinian terrorists serving long sentences for murder and involvement in deadly attacks set to be released on Monday as part of the U.S.-brokered deal.
In total, Jerusalem has agreed to release 1,950 Palestinian security prisoners, including 1,700 Palestinians arrested since Oct. 7, 2023.
According to Israel’s Ynet news outlet, 1,700 will be released to Gaza, 15 to Jerusalem and 100 to Judea and Samaria, while 135 will be deported.
Most of the terrorists who were sentenced to life in prison are expected to be taken in by Turkey and Qatar, according to Sunday’s Ynet report.
