Israeli forces continue counter-terror op in Judea and Samaria

Israeli security forces in Judea and Samaria over the past week killed three terrorists, apprehended more than a hundred wanted suspects, confiscated dozens of weapons and questioned dozens of terrorist suspects, the army said on Friday.

As part of the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in northern Samaria, the forces conducted targeted raids in the areas of Arraba and Qabatiya, both near Jenin and in the Menashe Brigade’s area of deployment.

“Israeli security forces will continue to act against terrorism in Judea and Samaria to ensure the security of Israeli citizens,” said the military.

On Thursday, a Palestinian mob lightly wounded a Jewish shepherd near the Israeli community of Ma’ale Amos in the Gush Etzion region of Judea. According to reports, the 18-year-old resident of Mikne Avraham, a herding outpost outside Ma’ale Amos, was alone in the pasture when he was attacked by some six Palestinians armed with clubs and rocks.

Palestinian terrorists targeted Israeli Jews in Judea and Samaria at least 6,343 times in 2024, according to figures published last month by the Rescuers Without Borders (Hatzalah Judea and Samaria) NGO.

Twenty-seven Israelis were murdered in Judea and Samaria in 2024, and more than 300 others were wounded, the group said in its annual report.

The figures, which were cross-checked against official data from Israel’s security services, included 3,668 instances of rock throwing, 843 attacks with fire bombs, 671 attempts to blind drivers with laser pointers, 526 involving explosive charges, 364 cases of arson and 179 shootings.

The NGO also recorded 37 attempted or successful stabbings, 36 bottles of paint being thrown at vehicles and 19 Palestinian car-ramming attacks, including 12 that caused injuries to Israeli victims.