Eleven Palestinian terrorists killed in largest counterterror operation in months
Israeli security forces launched the largest counterterror operation in months in northern Samaria and the Jordan Valley on Wednesday, killing at least 11 Palestinian terrorists in an operation that will likely last several days.
An Israeli Apache combat helicopter over Haifa on March 13, 2024. Photo by Anthony Hershko/TPS
The incursion, which began in the early morning hours, was prompted by intelligence indicating that terror groups were preparing further attacks on Israel. In response, the IDF moved swiftly to dismantle these networks, arresting dozens of suspects for questioning. Among those apprehended was a senior Hamas leader from Jenin, as well as individuals connected to Saleh Arouri, a prominent Hamas official assassinated in Beirut.
Raids focused on Jenin, Nur al-Shams in Tulkarm, the El Fara camp in northwestern Samaria in the Jordan Valley, and the village of Tubas, which is near Shechem (Nablus).
Sources in the Palestinian Authority told The Press Service of Israel that Zahar Jabarin, who commands Hamas terror cells in Judea and Samaria from Turkey, “ordered the terrorist squads to start operating, to relieve pressure on Hamas in Gaza.”
TPS-IL has learned that the 11 terrorists killed so far include members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and two officers of the Palestinian Security Services. Other terror groups, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades have also joined the fighting.
Palestinian dissatisfaction with President Mahmoud Abbas boiled over as news of the raids spread.
“At the top of the organization and its senior Palestinian officials, there is a great deal of anger towards Abu Mazen [Abbas] and there is a clear demand to unite all the rival Fatah factions, because many understand that the PA is also falling apart due to the internal split in Fatah,” Ahmed Assad, PA Governor of Nablus told TPS-IL.
Another senior PA official suggested to TPS-IL that fallout could hinder the PA’s possible return to Gaza. “Egypt is working to unite rival Fatah factions to try and bring the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, but the situation in the Palestinian Authority is no less serious,” he said.
“The corruption, the nepotism, the appointments of relatives, the polls and the demonstrations, all of these indicate a loss of legitimacy for the Palestinian Authority,” another Fatah official told TPS-IL.
‘Extended’ Fighting
The army said fighting is expected to continue for an “extended” period of time.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinted at several days of fighting when he said on social media that Israel should consider ordering Palestinian civilians to temporarily evacuate those areas.
“The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is working intensively from tonight in the Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps to thwart Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructures that have been established there. Iran is working to establish an eastern terrorist front against Israel in Judea and Samaria, according to the Gaza and Lebanon model, by financing and arming terrorists and smuggling advanced weapons from Jordan,” Katz tweeted.
“We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required. This is a war for everything and we must win it.”
On Aug. 21, Israel assassinated Khalil Hussein Khalil Al-Maqdah in Lebanon, who, along with his brother, Mounir, directed terror activity in Judea and Samaria on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
“The two collaborate on behalf of the IRGC and are involved in the direction of terror attacks as well as the smuggling of weapons and funds designated for terrorist activities into Judea and Samaria,” the Israeli army said.
Following the assassination analyst Beni Sabti told The Press Service of Israel that Iranian weapons smuggling through Jordan has been going on for years but increased sharply after October 7. Sabti is a researcher on Iran for the Institute for National Security Studies, which is affiliated with Tel Aviv University.
“It’s reached dangerous levels. The Iranians have hubris. They see October 7 as a victory and they will continue smuggling weapons,” Sabti told TPS-IL.
Recent terror attacks in the Jordan Valley, including a deadly drive-by shooting, have residents on edge.
Israeli security forces have arrested more than 4,400 Palestinian terror suspects in Judea and Samaria since October 7, of whom around 1,850 are affiliated with Hamas.
