Israeli security forces arrested more than 20 Palestinians on Tuesday evening who had celebrated for the release of Hamas terrorists by Israel three days earlier, according to the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police.
During raids in Samaria, IDF, police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) officers apprehended nine suspects “who participated in celebrations for the release of terrorists and demonstrations in support of Hamas,” according to the military.
The suspects were arrested in the Kafr Aqab neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem and in the Palestinian village of Al-Ram, located just outside the municipal borders of the city.
“The IDF and the security forces will continue to act against suspects who participate in disturbances, incitement and support for terror, and warn against participating in these types of terrorist events,” the IDF said.
כמה מתוך המשתתפים בתהלוכת החמאס הזו בשכונת כפר-עקב:
— אריה קינג Arieh King (@arieh_king) January 25, 2025
עובדי עיריית ירושלים
עובדי חברות התחבורה הציבורית בירושלים
עובדים בבתי החולים בירושלים
עובדים בקופות החולים בירושלים
עובדים בסופרמרקטים השונים בירושלים?
כסגן ראש @Jlm_city בקשתי מקב"ט העירייה לסרוק את הרשתות ולאתר עובדי עירייה. pic.twitter.com/2B9kJoTRKO
In a separate statement, the Israel Police said it had detained another 12 suspects who had participated in a pro-terrorism demonstration in the Kafr Aqab area on Saturday night.
“In footage distributed online, the suspects were seen participating in a demonstration of support that included expressions of joy while waving Hamas flags and firing weapons in the air,” according to police.
During searches, Hamas flags, posters, fireworks and large sums of money were seized.
The arrest raids came days after footage surfaced of a rally celebrating the release of Ashraf Zughayer, a Hamas terrorist convicted in 2002 of driving suicide bombers to their attacks.
In accordance with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Jerusalem on Saturday released 200 terrorists (50 for each soldier—30 serving life sentences and 20 who were supposed to remain in prison for up to 15 years).
A hundred and nine Palestinian terrorists were released back into Judea and Samaria, 21 to the Gaza Strip and the rest, about 70, were deported to Egypt and are expected to leave for other countries in accordance with the terms of the agreement, which went into effect on Jan. 19.
