Ahead of October 7: Widespread raids in the West Bank and thwarting of terrorist cells

Ahead of the anniversary of October 7, security forces conducted widespread raids on 14 villages in Judea and Samaria, arrested dozens of wanted individuals, and thwarted a terrorist cell. The operation took place over a single night, involving exchanges of fire and searches, aimed at preventing high-profile attacks on the symbolic date.

Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 events, security forces conducted unusually extensive raids in Judea and Samaria. During the night (between Saturday and Sunday), forces raided at least 14 villages and towns, arrested dozens of wanted individuals, and thwarted a terrorist cell that was in advanced planning stages for an imminent attack. The operation included exchanges of fire in the village of Silwad, the arrest of a terrorist in Jenin, the seizure of a vehicle and terrorist facilitators in Bethlehem, and the protection of worshippers at the tomb of Eleazar and Itamar. Forces operated in the sectors of Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Jericho, Hebron, and northern Jerusalem. According to reports, this represents a change in operational doctrine in the Central Command, aimed at breaking the chain of attacks at the planning stage.