Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

IDF commandos arrest Palestinian who planned imminent attack

Undercover operators from the Duvdevan Unit detained two wanted terrorists in Samaria.

IDF troops raid the Palestinian city of Qabatiya, near Jenin, after a resident carried out a deadly attack in northern Israel, Dec. 27, 2025. Credit: IDF.
IDF troops raid Qabatiya, near Jenin in northern Samaria, after a resident carried out a deadly attack in northern Israel, Dec. 27, 2025. Credit: IDF.

Commandos from the Israel Defense Forces’ Unit 217 (aka the Duvdevan Unit) arrested two Palestinian terrorists in northern Samaria on Wednesday, one of whom was planning to carry out an attack in the “immediate timeframe,” the military said.

The separate arrests occurred within less than 12 hours, according to the IDF. The fighters operated undercover among the local Palestinian population.

The terrorist who was prevented from executing an attack was detained in the city of Qabatiya, near Jenin, the IDF said.

The second suspect was apprehended in the city of Nablus.

In a separate incident in southern Samaria, IDF troops rushed to the Jewish community of Ofra following a report of a car-ramming attack.

The army said that leading up to the incident, a confrontation developed between several Israeli civilians and Palestinians, during which one of the Palestinians was sprayed with pepper spray.

The Palestinian fled the scene and struck one of the civilians with his vehicle, injuring him lightly.

The suspect turned himself in to Israeli security forces and will be further investigated, the IDF said.

“Our hope is that HHS will ensure that if APA is going to continue to be a recipient of federal funds, that it comes into compliance with its obligations under the federal civil rights law,” Rebecca Harris of the Brandeis Center told JNS.
“This is a victory of vision, perseverance and Zionism, and another step on the path to the development of Samaria and a million residents,” said Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan.
Natalie Poulson told JNS that Democratic candidate Luc Jasmin III’s comments are “discrediting” and pointed to an increase in antisemitic incidents of Jew-hatred in the state.
The European Commission is reportedly preparing options after member states failed to reach consensus on broader sanctions against Israel.
Two Israelis were also detained in overnight raids.
The terrorists were eliminated in weekend airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.