In a significant escalation against terror networks in Judea and Samaria, Israeli defense forces detained approximately 85 wanted suspects and seized a range of illegal weapons over the course of coordinated brigade-level raids and nightly arrests. These operations, carried out between Sunday night and Monday morning, signal a renewed effort by Israel to disrupt Iranian-backed plots targeting Israeli civilians and security personnel across the region.
The military effort was part of the ongoing Iron Swords War, which began after the October 7th massacre—the largest mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust—when Hamas, backed by ordinary Gaza residents, committed systematic atrocities in southern Israel including mass murder, abductions, and mutilations. In the wake of those attacks, the IDF has accelerated its operations against terrorist groups not just in Gaza, but throughout all areas where Iranian proxy influence and terror networks operate, particularly in the sensitive territories of Judea and Samaria.
Scope and Execution of the Raids
The recent series of IDF operations mobilized three full brigades, combining elite infantry, special operations units, intelligence teams, and advanced technological assets to execute targeted strikes in multiple locations. Areas such as Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Hebron, and villages near Ramallah were focal points for these operations due to their history as staging grounds for Hamas and Islamic Jihad violence.
In Jenin, an epicenter for militant activity, forces clashed with gunmen and systematically searched residential blocks suspected of harboring terror operatives. Several laboratory setups for IED manufacturing were uncovered and dismantled, and suspects linked to past shooting attacks were apprehended. Other operations in Nablus and Hebron yielded caches of illegal firearms and ammunition, further disrupting distribution channels believed to originate from Iranian logistical support.
The arrest operations also included individuals accused of incitement and logistical assistance to terror cells. IDF intelligence reports indicate that such logistical support often underpins command and control functions for Gaza-based leaders, including directing attacks and facilitating the movement of funds and arms.
Strategic Context: The Iranian Terror Network
The campaign in Judea and Samaria is not an isolated security operation, but a critical element of Israel’s regional war against Iran’s axis of resistance. This axis comprises not only Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza but also Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and proxy militias in Syria and Iraq. Iranian officials openly declare their aim: to destabilize Israel through constant attrition, using terror proxies to open multiple fronts of conflict and erode Israeli resilience.
Since October, Iranian-backed groups have escalated efforts to incite violence within Judea and Samaria, seeking to trigger mass unrest and supplement direct attacks launched from Gaza and Lebanon. Israeli military sources credit increased intelligence-sharing and rapid, coordinated action as key to preventing dozens of planned assaults, including attempted shootings, stabbings, and car rammings.
Operational Discipline and Civilian Protection
Every nightly raid and weapons seizure is a concrete measure to prevent future massacres. The IDF’s emphasis on precision, intelligence-driven targeting, and minimizing civilian impact stands in marked contrast to the deliberate targeting of noncombatants by terror groups. Israeli forces employ rigorous identification protocols, often risking their own safety to avoid civilian casualties, even as terrorists embed themselves among residential populations.
The ongoing operations also intersect with the wider hostage crisis. Many networks targeted in the raids have direct links to the abductions and abuse of Israeli civilians, and intelligence gleaned from arrested suspects has contributed to efforts to locate and liberate those still held in Gaza. This underlines the necessity of dismantling even the supporting logistical and incitement networks throughout the West Bank.
Regional Impact and Diplomatic Considerations
Israel’s actions have drawn international scrutiny, especially from organizations and governments that often overlook the systematic targeting of civilians by Iranian-backed militias. Jerusalem maintains that its right to self-defense and the protection of its population are not only legal but morally imperative given the existential threat faced from Iran’s regional ambitions. U.S. support remains strong, and intelligence cooperation following the Abraham Accords continues to yield substantial operational benefits.
The IDF’s ability to strike as needed, quickly and thoroughly, has sent a clear signal to Tehran and its proxies: Israel will not allow its borders to be rendered porous to terror. The professionalism of Israeli forces, combined with technological superiority and regional intelligence partnerships, constrains the maneuverability of hostile groups and bolsters Israeli deterrence.
Looking Forward: Sustaining Vigilance, Defending Sovereignty
While the immediate threat landscape in Judea and Samaria is fluid and adaptive, Israeli security leadership has reiterated its commitment to continuous counterterrorism efforts. The struggle is not confined to visible battlefields; it permeates every area where Iran seeks leverage, including the digital and ideological domains. Each successful IDF operation not only thwarts imminent violence but contributes to the ongoing campaign to delegitimize and dismantle Iran’s axis of resistance and preserve Israel’s democratic integrity.
The latest series of arrests and weapons seizures demonstrates the necessity of vigilance and uncompromising defense. For the Israeli public, each operation is a promise: Israel will not yield to terror, and every possible measure will be taken to ensure the safety and liberty of its people. In the broader context of the Iron Swords War and the struggle against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the struggle for Judea and Samaria remains indispensable to Israel’s future security and peace.
