Hamas Flags Seized in Samaria, Weapons Found Hidden in Tree

Arrest operation in Samaria (Photo: Israel Police)

Beneath the surface in the heart of Samaria, networks of incitement and terror support continue attempting to gain ground, but security forces are proving time and again that they close the circle on suspects before incitement turns into action on the ground.

Surprise Raid Leads to Arrest

In a joint operation by security forces and Judea and Samaria District Police, officers raided a building in the village of Qaryut following targeted intelligence. During the thorough search conducted at the location, forces were stunned to discover an arsenal that included a Colt pistol, a sharp knife, alongside prominent incitement items including flags and hats bearing the symbols of the Hamas terror organization.

Two suspects, Palestinians in their 50s residing in the village, were arrested on site and immediately transferred for intensive interrogation at the Ariel station. Following the initial investigation, they were brought before a judge who, impressed by the severity of the acts, ordered their detention extended by six and seven additional days respectively, to allow police and the Shin Bet to complete all necessary investigative procedures against them.

Border Police fighters located a dangerous weapons cache concealed in the area of Yarka village in the Western Galilee. The cache contained two IDF explosive charges, a silencer, weapon parts, magazines and substantial ammunition.

The operation was carried out as part of ongoing Border Police activity to locate illegal combat equipment in the northern region. During the search, an item suspected to be an IDF detonation fuse was initially discovered, and following the find, sweeps in the area were expanded.

Subsequently, the fighters noticed an item wrapped in plastic that had been concealed inside an olive tree trunk. Inside the wrapping were found two IDF ammunition crates containing 7.62mm caliber ammunition. The cache was transferred to security forces for further investigation.

The seizure joins a series of similar operations carried out by Israel Police in the northern district in recent weeks. About a month ago, Galilee special patrol unit fighters using metal detectors located a dangerous weapons cache in open terrain adjacent to the village of Rameh, which included six hand grenades, Kalashnikov magazines and substantial ammunition.

According to the police spokesperson, since the beginning of the year over 590 lethal combat items have been seized in the northern district. Security forces operate continuously to locate concealed weapons, arrest armed individuals and work to prevent shooting incidents and violent crime in the northern region.