During a visit to the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) Samaria District headquarters, Prime Minster Yair Lapid held an assessment on the spike in Palestinian violence.
By Erin Viner
“We are dealing with a complex reality that demands both a strong hand and determination in the areas in which terror has reared its head, while making an effort to maintain daily life,” remarked the Premier.
ISA Director Ronen Bar and his deputy, and district managers and personnel provided the Israeli leader with a briefing on “recent intelligence gathering activity and preventive operations against terrorist infrastructure, especially in northern Samaria,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Discussion on the escalation of tensions in the area followed the ISA (also known as the Shin Bet) assessment on intelligence matters and operations.
“I have also come here to tell you – I greatly appreciate you,” underscored Prime Minister Lapid to the nation’s intelligence agency personnel.
“I see here dedicated women and men, imbued with a sense of mission and great responsibility. You chose this challenging work, and it is good that you have. Day and night, the preventive operations you are leading with the IDF and the Israel Police have thwarted many severe terrorist attacks and saved lives on a daily basis.”
Speaking on behalf of the citizens of Israel, Prime Minister Lapid expressed support for the team’s “important activity” and defense of the nation’s security “ in “the coming period.”
Palestinians have carried out nine separate attacks carried out against Israelis in recent weeks while scores of others were thwarted by Israeli security forces. So far this year, at least 240 terror attacks have been foiled – including attempted suicide and other bombings, shootings and abductions.
IDF, Israel Security Agency (ISA, Shin Bet) and police forces have repeatedly come under attack during nightly raids while carrying out ongoing counterterrorism activities throughout Judea and Samaria as part of Operation Waves Breaker, launched in response to the wake of a deadly surge of attacks against Israelis that killed 19 people between March and May 2022.
Over 2,000 wanted Palestinian terror suspects have been captured and hundreds of weapons confiscated in thousands of counterterrorism operations by Israeli security forces over the past four months.
Photos: Haim Zach (GPO)