Operation Waves Breaker to root out Palestinian terrorism is ongoing throughout Judea and Samaria.
By Erin Viner
IDF, Israel Border Police and Israel Security Agency (ISA, Shin Bet) forces conducted counterterrorism activities at several locations throughout the West Bank districts of Judea and Samaria overnight, including the Palestinian towns of Qarawat Bani Hassan, Hable, Halhul, ad-Dhahiriya, the Aida and Dheisha Camps and the city of Nablus.
A total of 18 suspected terrorists were arrested during the raids – including six wanted terror suspects in the cities of Qalqilya and Ras Karkar during separate IDF operations. Two others were apprehended in the Al Fara Camp.
Heavy gunfire was directed at the Israeli forces during the mission, but there were no reported injuries to security personnel.
Security forces have intensified arrest raids for wanted Palestinians in the West Bank since the outbreak of of Arab terror attacks that have claimed the lives of 19 people in the Jewish State since March.
In related developments, Jerusalem police were deployed to restore calm after violent riots erupted in eastern neighborhoods and the Old City last night during the funeral of a 21-year-old Islamist suspect, who died of critical wounds sustained in a 22 April fall while trying to evade arrest on the Temple Mount.
Thousands of Palestinians attended the procession, with hundreds hurling rocks and shooting fireworks at Israeli security officers.
Five Palestinian drivers were arrested after speeding their vehicles toward Border Police officers, injuring one uninvolved bystander, said the Police Spokesperson’s Unit, while a number of other civilians were attacked by the violent rioters.
Ten other Palestinians were arrested in connection to the mob violence, which also resulted in extensive damage to private property.
And while TV7 could not immediately corroborate the number of injured in Jerusalem, all of the victims were diagnosed in light condition.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian terrorist was shot and killed about 7:30 this morning after attempting to stab IDF troops near entry into the Palestinian city of Nablus. CCTV footage obtained by TV7 captured the incident. “The moment I identified the terrorist, I opened fire toward him, for the purpose of neutralizing him and remove the threat,” said an IDF reservist squad leader identified only as Staff Sergeant “R,” who added, “We are glad that this incident concluded without harm to our civilians or forces. We will continue to protect our citizens in this sector to the best of our abilities.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held a comprehensive situational assessment at the IDF Efraim Regional Brigade in Judea and Samaria this morning, together with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, IDF Central Command Head Maj. Gen. Yehudah Fox, IDF Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. Avi Bluth, IDF Menashe Regional Brigade Commander Col. Arik Moyal and other senior officers.
“My directive is clear: Strike at the terrorists wherever they are with every kind of weaponry,” stated the Israeli leader following a briefing on counter-terrorism operations in the Efraim Brigade area in particular and in Judea and Samaria in general.
“We are giving full backing to the IDF and Israel Police to strike at every terrorist – in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and anywhere else in the country. Whoever raises a hand to an Israeli civilian or IDF soldier will pay the price,” stressed Prime Minister Bennett.