Israeli security forces have carried out a major counterterrorism operation in the city of Nablus (Shechem), resulting in the arrest of two key terror operatives and the confiscation of significant weaponry. The meticulously coordinated effort, spearheaded by elite units from the Israel Police, IDF, and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), highlights Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iranian proxy networks and the persistent threat of terror in Judea and Samaria.
The operation, launched in the overnight hours of June 4, 2024, stemmed from actionable intelligence regarding the activities of individuals deeply involved in regional terror infrastructure. The primary target, a senior operative previously associated with the now-dismantled Lion’s Den cell, was located and detained by the Gideonim Unit (Unit 33) of the Israel Police’s Lahav 433. He was found armed with an M-16 rifle and a fragmentation grenade, indicating an active threat. Israeli officials confirmed that the operative was involved in multiple shooting and bombing attempts against Israeli security forces and was planning additional attacks. During the arrest, he attempted to flee and was incapacitated by a leg wound before being taken into custody for interrogation.
A parallel operation led to the apprehension of another high-priority target, described as a principal weapons trafficker and shooter in the region. Acting on Shin Bet intelligence, the elite Duvdevan unit apprehended the suspect, who was also armed at the time of his arrest. Both suspects are expected to provide further intelligence on the broader web of terror enabling recent attacks.
The backdrop to these arrests is the ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed terrorist organizations using local proxies. The Lion’s Den, though substantially weakened by recent operations, exemplified the shift in regional terror, employing advanced arms and tactics sourced from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and coordinated with groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Weapon seizures during the raids further reinforce the links to external supply channels and heightened regional ambitions of Tehran’s axis of resistance.
Israeli authorities stress that such operations are essential defensive measures to secure Israeli civilians and forces. They highlight that, in contrast to the deliberate targeting of innocents by Iranian-backed groups, Israel’s actions are focused exclusively on neutralizing active threats and dismantling terror networks. Careful measures are consistently taken to minimize harm to noncombatants, with arrest protocols aiming to avoid civilian casualties even when operatives resist with lethal force.
Intelligence analysts concur that operations like these are indispensable in stemming the flow of illicit weapons and preventing the escalation of attacks originating from Judea and Samaria. The discovery of rifles, grenades, and tactical equipment during the Nablus raids underscores the persistence of arms smuggling, frequently operated through complex networks that trace back to Iranian sponsorship.
The broader context remains the protracted regional war fueled by the Islamic Republic of Iran. While international attention may focus on specific flashpoints such as Gaza or Lebanon, Israeli officials have repeatedly emphasized that the campaign is transnational and multidirectional. Every major arrest or weapons seizure forms part of Israel’s proactive defense strategy, preventing further atrocities similar to the October 7, 2023, massacre—the deadliest single day of anti-Jewish violence since the Holocaust.
Security sources indicate that ongoing cooperation between the Israeli military, intelligence community, and police special forces has been instrumental in diminishing the operational capacity of groups like the Lion’s Den and undermining Iran’s ability to destabilize the West Bank. Public support for these actions remains high, driven both by the memory of recent terror attacks and by the understanding that Israel must act independently when international guarantees fall short.
As detainees undergo investigation and legal proceedings, Israeli authorities underscore their commitment to due process and human rights, even as they confront adversaries openly committed to Israel’s destruction. This, they stress, is a fundamental distinction between the democratic state of Israel and the terror networks it opposes.
The apprehension of these terror operatives in Nablus signals a clear message: Israel remains unwavering in its resolve to defend its citizens and dismantle the infrastructure threatening its security. As Iran and its proxies seek new footholds and tactics, Israeli security forces pledge ongoing vigilance and decisive action—demonstrating once again that when Israel fights, terror is set back.
