IDF steps up Samaria anti-terror raids by 90%

Israeli security forces have increased their counter-terrorism raids throughout Samaria by more than 90%, the commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Samaria Brigade, Col. A., said over the weekend.

During a meeting with civilian security guards of Jewish communities in the area, Col. A. also revealed that the security forces’ activities have led to a decrease of 75% in stone-throwing attacks, Arutz 7 reported.

The brigade commander stressed the military’s commitment to working in close cooperation with local security.

On Thursday, the IDF announced it had arrested some 400 wanted Arab terrorists as part of its operations across Judea and Samaria last month.

During the June 13–24 “Operation Rising Lion” targeting Iran, Israeli security forces intensified counter-terror efforts across Judea and Samaria, conducting more than 2,500 raids, according to the IDF.

In addition, the IDF, Israel Border Police, and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) dismantled six Palestinian terrorist cells that had been planning attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.

Israel’s Ynet outlet, citing security sources on June 23, reported that Iran views terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria as its “last proxy” and was working to fuel further violence in the aftermath of the war.

Over the weekend, Israel’s security forces arrested three suspected members of a terrorist cell in northern Samaria who, according to officials, were planning an imminent attack.

Two of the suspects were arrested in eastern Barta’a, an Arab village in Samaria near the border between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, based on Shin Bet intelligence.

The third suspect was detained later.