In a targeted counterterrorism operation early Friday morning, Israeli security forces apprehended an armed terrorist in the West Bank city of Qalqilya as he was en route to carry out an attack. The operation was conducted by the Gideonim unit of Lahav 433, in cooperation with the IDF’s Ephraim Brigade and under the guidance of the Shin Bet security service.
Part of a Larger Cell
According to security officials, the suspect is a local operative affiliated with Islamic Jihad and was part of a cell that also included Hamas militants from Qalqilya. The arrest was made without injuries to Israeli forces, as the suspect was intercepted while advancing toward a planned terrorist operation.
Weapons Seized
Following the arrest, security forces conducted searches and seized M16 assault rifles that were intended for use in the planned attack. The Shin Bet reported that several other suspects tied to the same terror cell are currently under investigation.
Israeli Forces Arrest Armed Terrorist in Qalqilya | Photo: Rega News
Part of a Wider Security Sweep
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on terror networks in the West Bank. Earlier this week, Israeli forces detained 10 wanted individuals and uncovered two significant weapons caches.
In separate raids in the village of al-Ram (Binyamin region), troops uncovered three M16 rifles, nine Airsoft pistols, tear gas grenades, knives, ammunition, and various weapon parts. Another weapons cache was discovered in Yatta (Judea region), including an M16, a pistol, a Carlo submachine gun, a hunting rifle, and other arms.
Transferred for Interrogation
The suspects and the seized weapons have been transferred for interrogation and further handling by law enforcement. The IDF and Shin Bet stressed that the operations are intelligence-driven and part of ongoing efforts to thwart terrorism and illegal arms trafficking in all sectors.
