Three members of an armed terrorist cell operating a weapons manufacturing workshop were arrested in a joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation in Ramallah, the IDF announced in a joint statement with Israel Police on Friday.
The workshop contained dozens of rockets, explosives, and explosive materials, alongside findings linking them to the manufacturing and attempted launch of rockets.
The members of the terrorist cell were suspected of attempting to launch a rocket from the West Bank toward Israeli territory last week.
During the operation, security forces surrounded the building where the suspects were and fired at it, causing the three suspects to exit the building. The terrorists were arrested.
Security forces destroyed the rockets and explosives, and the suspects were transferred for further questioning by the Shin Bet.
In response to the operation, former prime minister Naftali Bennett said, “The rule is simple: every area transferred to the Palestinians becomes a terrorist base. Therefore, it is forbidden to transfer territories, and it is forbidden to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. Only in this way will we ensure the security of Israeli citizens.”
The IDF later released a video of Israeli forces dismantling rockets and explosives within the compound in the Ramallah area.
Over 75 arrested in West Bank in a week
The operation was conducted by soldiers from the Kedem and Ram battalions, the Binyamin Regional Brigade, the Central Command’s Combat Engineering Unit, and reservist Duvdevan soldiers.
The IDF and Shin Bet arrested over 75 wanted individuals within the West Bank this past week, the military announced Friday.
Of those arrested, 13 were terrorists who worked to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers in the Bethlehem area, 10 were terrorists from the Kabatiya area, and nine were Hamas terrorists.
While operating in the Tulkarm area, the Menashe Brigade confiscated multiple weapons and ammunition.