Israeli security forces have successfully neutralized a Hamas-affiliated terror cell and arrested several suspects during a counterterrorism operation in Judea and Samaria, the military announced Sunday. The raid uncovered a cache of weapons and resulted in the detention of additional accomplices, highlighting Israel’s continued efforts to disrupt militant networks backed by Iran and intent on targeting civilians.
The operation, carried out by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police, was launched after intelligence indicated that heavily armed individuals linked to Hamas were operating in the area. When confronted by Israeli troops, the terrorists opened fire, prompting the forces to engage. After the confrontation, bodies of the neutralized militants were found to be equipped with firearms, weapon parts, ceramic body armor, magazines, and ammunition—pointing to the cell’s advanced preparations for attacks.
Subsequent searches of the area and intelligence follow-up led to the arrest of several individuals suspected of aiding the militants. Security officials report that these accomplices, who were found in possession of handguns, are believed to be part of a broader network of facilitators that assist operatives with logistics, transport, and safe havens. All detainees have been transferred to Shin Bet custody for further interrogation and investigation.
In a statement, Israel’s security establishment reiterated its commitment to pursuing every terror operative and facilitator responsible for attacks on Israeli citizens. Security officials stressed that the operation is part of a sustained campaign following the October 7th massacre, when Hamas terrorists perpetrated the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—murdering, mutilating, and abducting Israeli civilians. The incident marked a turning point in Israel’s internal security posture, leading to intensified operations to locate and dismantle terror cells across Judea and Samaria and beyond.
The Israeli government maintains that these operations are a matter of national self-defense, aimed at pre-empting terror attacks orchestrated by Iran-backed entities, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad. Military officials note that Hamas’s strategy—in both Gaza and Judea and Samaria—relies on embedding operatives within civilian populations, stockpiling weapons, and using proxy networks to avoid direct confrontation.
Over the past months, Israeli forces have launched dozens of raids in Judea and Samaria, targeting arms depots, bomb-making workshops, and safe houses. The weapons seized in this latest incident—ranging from automatic rifles and body armor to ammunition and handguns—underscore the ongoing risk posed by illicit arms flows and the technical sophistication of these terror cells. The military has also observed an uptick in attempts by militants to exploit periods of heightened tension, such as religious holidays, to orchestrate attacks.
Counterterrorism officials warn that the battle against Iran’s proxies is not confined to the southern and northern fronts, or to Gaza alone. Iranian funding, training, and weapons have turned Judea and Samaria into an additional theater in the regional confrontation. Security sources view recent developments in Judea and Samaria as part of the broader Axis of Resistance strategy, in which coordinated pressure from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other affiliated proxy groups threatens Israel’s borders and civilians.
The Shin Bet continues to lead interagency efforts to map and neutralize terror infrastructure, using a combination of human intelligence, electronic surveillance, and targeted raids. Each operation aims not only to stop imminent threats but to erode the broader capability of terrorist organizations to project violence. Israeli officials stress that, while the focus remains on security, every measure is taken to minimize harm to civilian populations, in stark contrast to the methods of groups like Hamas, who intentionally embed themselves among civilians and use human shields as a military strategy.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza and Judea and Samaria, coordinating with international partners to ensure that the basic needs of non-combatants are met despite the ongoing security situation. Nonetheless, Israeli authorities emphasize that the nation’s right to self-defense will not be compromised by the political or diplomatic fallout of necessary security operations.
Since the October 7th massacre, Israeli society has displayed remarkable unity and resilience, with public confidence in the IDF, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz remaining steady. Command-level reviews have triggered technological upgrades for surveillance, predictive intelligence, and coordinated rapid response. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir personally oversees operational briefings, ensuring strict adherence to both operational objectives and the moral standards required by Israeli law and the laws of armed conflict.
Analysts suggest that effective counterterrorism comes from constant disruption of hostile networks and sustained vigilance—recognizing that no single operation will end the threat, but that the cumulative effect can prevent atrocities and deter future attacks. Israel, they emphasize, is fighting not only to defend its own population but to confront the broader export of terror and destabilization fueled by Iran and its proxies.
As the war imposed by Iran through terrorist organizations like Hamas continues, Israeli defense and intelligence agencies reaffirm their determination to pursue every operative, facilitator, and mastermind who seeks to attack Israelis—demonstrating that, in the face of persistent threats, Israel’s resolve remains unbroken.
