Under the IDF's noses
IDF Uncovers Cache of Ready-to-Fire Rockets Near Tulkarem, Launches Major Counterterror Operation in Northern Samaria
Rockets found already equipped with warheads, prepped for launch. Discovery indicates readiness for war in Judea and Samaria previously associated with Gaza.
Israeli forces uncovered a cache of rockets last month in an Arab village near Tulkarem, a discovery officials describe as a highly unusual and alarming indication of advancing terrorist capabilities in northern Samaria. The rockets were fully assembled and equipped with warheads, according to details released Tuesday.
The find immediately raised concerns within the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division and Central Command that terror factions in the region have reached a more advanced stage in developing indirect fire systems capable of targeting Israeli communities. Senior officers said the cache reflected a concerted effort by terrorist operatives to rebuild infrastructure, recruit members, and expand their operational reach.
In response, the IDF and Shin Bet launched a large-scale operation dubbed “Five Stones,” targeting terror networks across northern Samaria and the cluster of villages surrounding Homesh, including the areas of Tamun, Tubas, and Al-Faraa. The operation involves thousands of personnel from commando units, the Paratroopers Brigade, the Shomron and Menashe brigades, the Israel Police, the Shin Bet, and the Prison Service’s Masada unit.
According to the IDF, forces have so far arrested dozens of wanted individuals and suspects linked to terrorist activity. Troops have also seized weapons, explosives, and intelligence materials, and are working to locate local workshops used for manufacturing arms. Security officials said the breadth of the operation reflects both the scale of the threat and Israel’s determination to prevent the emergence of a new rocket front in Judea and Samaria.
The discovery of ready-to-use rockets inside a village marks one of the clearest indications to date of attempts by terror groups to replicate in Judea and Samaria capabilities long associated with Gaza-based factions. Israeli security sources warned that even short-range projectiles launched from the area could endanger nearby Israeli population centers and major transportation corridors.
Operation “Five Stones” remains ongoing as Israeli forces continue searching for additional weapons caches, production sites, and operatives involved in the attempted buildup. Security officials said preventing the establishment of rocket capabilities in northern Samaria is a top priority, stressing that the rapid response aims to neutralize the threat before it matures further.