IDF finds over 100 pipe bombs in northern Samaria

The IDF located over one hundred pipe bombs in northern Samaria during its efforts to root out terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in the area.

The IDF said that "during the counter-terrorism operation in northern Samaria, fighters from the Shimshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade located and destroyed an improvised explosives manufacturing lab and a weapons storage facility containing approximately 100 pipe bombs, eight underbelly charges, and a system for activating explosives.

"Additionally, the fighters located and destroyed an improvised drone manufacturing lab and several buildings that served as terrorist infrastructure in Tulkarm."

Earlier today (Thursday), the IDF announced that "during the week, security forces operated throughout Judea and Samaria to thwart terrorism, arrested 90 suspects, confiscated 14 weapons and hundreds of thousands of shekels of terror funds.

"At the same time, security forces continue to operate in an operation in northern Samaria. IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police forces operated this week in new areas in Jenin where they eliminated several terrorists and arrested about 30 wanted individuals. This week, the forces destroyed three terrorists' homes and interrogated many suspects in terrorist activity."

The IDF has been operating since the end of January of this year to actively root out terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in northern Samaria, especially in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas, as part of Operation Iron Wall. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it part of the effort to fight the pro-Iran axis wherever it presents itself - in Jenin, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, or elsewhere.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iron Wall was a product of lessons learned during fighting in Gaza and elsewhere, per which "mowing the grass" by weakening but never destroying terrorist units and infrastructure was insufficient, and that the IDF needed to eliminate terrorist groups root and branch.

Katz has also instructed IDF units clearing out terrorist strongholds in northern Samaria to prepare to stay there for an extended period of time, as a sign of Israel's determination to continue the fight against Israel's enemies.