Offensive, Impact, Control

Judea and Samaria Terror Threat Plummets 80% Amid IDF’s Aggressive Campaign

Israeli Defense Minister reports dramatic 80% reduction in Judea and Samaria terror threats due to aggressive IDF campaign targeting Iranian-backed militant strongholds in refugee camps.

Lara Sukster Mosheyof

AUG 10, 2025 17:23

2 min read

Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday announced a dramatic decline in terror threats in the Judea and Samaria area, claiming an 80% drop thanks to a new IDF policy focused on decisive, sustained offensive operations.

Katz pointed to refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams as key centers of terrorism: “hotbeds financed, armed, and guided by Iran,” forming part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” against Israel. These areas, he said, served as launchpads for attacks across the region.

In response, Katz said the IDF adopted a “powerful offensive” approach: evacuating residents, eliminating terrorists, dismantling terror infrastructure, and maintaining a military presence in these zones at least through the end of 2025.

“This is the right model to combat terror: strike it decisively and pursue it relentlessly across all fronts,” he emphasized.

Since January, the IDF’s broad Operation Iron Wall in Jenin has targeted terror cells linked to Iran, working closely with the Shin Bet. The operation included neutralizing multiple terrorists and systematically undermining militant networks.

In an unusual measure to curb violence, the IDF also announced last month that wearing face masks outdoors in the West Bank is now punishable by up to six months in prison. The regulation targets terrorists and extremists who use masks to conceal identities during attacks.

Katz’s statements highlight a toughening stance by Israeli security forces aiming to restore order and suppress terrorism in a volatile region. The coming months will reveal whether this strategy maintains its momentum and significantly reshapes the security landscape in the Judea and Samaria area.

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