Soldiers from the Duvdevan special forces unit arrested five suspects early Friday morning in Qabatiya, a town in the northern West Bank, following intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet security service. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the suspects were allegedly planning an attack targeting Israeli civilians or security forces. The operation was conducted under the command of the Menashe Brigade, and the suspects were transferred for further interrogation by security authorities.
The IDF said the five individuals had been actively advancing terror plans. Operatives apprehended the suspects in under ten minutes from the time forces entered the locations where they were identified.
Following searches of the suspects' homes, forces located and confiscated an M16 rifle and additional combat equipment that had been concealed, the military reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the operation, saying: "I commend our forces on a successful operation in Samaria in which they destroyed dozens of lathes for manufacturing combat equipment, seized dozens of weapons, and arrested wanted individuals involved in terror. Our activity to thwart terror continues at full strength in Judea and Samaria, in Gaza, in Lebanon, and everywhere our enemies attempt to threaten the State of Israel."
Separately, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, a body representing Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank, spoke with Menashe Brigade Commander Matan Feldman to express his appreciation. Dagan asked to convey his gratitude to the Duvdevan fighters, the Shin Bet, and the Menashe Brigade for what he called their swift and determined action.
"The entire people of Israel values and embraces the IDF soldiers, Border Police, the security establishment, Shin Bet, and all security forces," Dagan said following the conversation. He added political commentary about Israeli settlement policy in the region, stating that "the uprooting of settlement in northern Samaria created a lawless area that grew a massive terror infrastructure, not only in northern Samaria but spilling from northern Samaria to all of the State of Israel."
Dagan continued: "The determined activity of the IDF in the terror camps called refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and throughout the area, and the massive return of settlement to northern Samaria, will restore security to all of the State of Israel. We embrace the IDF, the security establishment, and security forces, and say clearly: no despicable terrorist will defeat the people of Israel, no despicable terrorist will succeed in expelling the people of Israel from here. Settlement in Samaria and northern Samaria holds its head high with pride; we will establish more and more communities. The people of Israel will prevail."
