The IDF reinforced its troops with three additional battalions, due to concern of an outbreak of a new wave of terrorism and violence across the Palestinian territories. The decision to bring in reinforcements was made at a situation assessment meeting held by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot during a visit to the West Bank settlement of Ariel, where an Israeli man was murdered on Monday.
The IDF believes that there is a growing trend of motivation to carry out attacks against Israelis, which was inspired by the murder in Ariel and the previous attack in which Rabbi Raziel Shevah was murdered last month by a Hamas cell from the area of the Palestinian city of Jenin.
The IDF, in coordination with Israel’s security services, acted intensively in the last few days to “foil terror attacks” across the West Bank, as well as conducting a manhunt, seeking to bring to justice those responsible for the terror attacks that claimed the lives of two Israelis. The military activities included daily operations in Palestinian villages, which led to intensive pressure on the local population and resulted in numerous clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli military.