Israeli security forces thwarted a Hamas terror infrastructure in the village of Aqaba on Sunday, arresting ten operatives who were advancing plans to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians. During the operation, troops discovered an improvised rocket containing explosive material, along with combat equipment and materials used for manufacturing explosive devices.
The operation was executed within hours of the planned attack, following intelligence warnings and after operational conditions matured. It followed extensive intelligence investigation conducted by the Shin Bet security service over several months.
The Menashe Brigade led the operation under Shin Bet guidance, with participation from Yamam (Israel's national counter-terrorism unit), the Duvdevan undercover unit, Battalion 890, and Battalion 50. The forces arrested all ten members of the Hamas cell during the raid.
At one location, Yamam operatives located an improvised rocket containing explosive material, though without a launcher. The rocket was immediately detonated on site.
In another incident, one of the arrested operatives was interrogated in the field and led forces to an agricultural area near the village. The suspect revealed a pit dug near a tree, from which he retrieved a bag containing explosives used for manufacturing bombs, as well as disassembled parts of an M16 rifle.
