Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) apprehended two individuals overnight in the cities of Shechem (Nablus) and Tubas, Judea and Samaria, for allegedly inciting violence and arson through social media platforms. The operation came as Israeli authorities continue intensifying efforts against online terror incitement following a surge in arson attacks widely attributed to organized acts of sabotage by Iranian-backed groups and their sympathizers.
According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the two suspects actively called for additional arson and violent attacks, amplifying support for terrorism amid a recent spate of wildfires. The first individual, a resident of Shechem, allegedly posted content endorsing the killing of Jews connected to recent fires, while the second, from Tubas, reportedly spread similar messages, including explicit support for Hamas terrorist activity and calls to perpetrate further attacks on Israeli civilians and property.
This incident highlights the growing role of online incitement in the operational doctrines of terror groups like Hamas, which maintain a broad presence across platforms to radicalize and mobilize followers. Since the October 7, 2023 massacre—when Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust, carrying out mass murder, mutilations, and hostage-taking of innocent Israeli civilians—Israel has regarded the digital sphere as a front line in the ongoing war imposed by Iran and its proxies.
Over the past months, a wave of arson attacks—intentionally set fires threatening Israeli communities, infrastructure, and environments—has been encouraged and sometimes coordinated online. Security sources confirm these are integral components of the broader Iranian-backed destabilization campaign, with Hamas, Hezbollah, and associated proxy militias exploiting both local discontent and digital tools. The strategic weaponization of arson demonstrates the hybrid nature of modern conflict and underscores the challenge faced by Israeli security and emergency services.
The IDF, under Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, has made combating terror incitement—both on the ground and online—a top priority. Military, police, and judicial arms of the state coordinate digital monitoring, removal requests, legal action against inciters, and rapid response to new threats. The arrested suspects will face legal proceedings, with due process and legal representation provided in accordance with Israeli and international law, in marked contrast to the actions of terror organizations which routinely deny such protections.
Online incitement is not viewed as mere expression of opinion by Israeli legal authorities when it includes advocacy for arson, murder, and support of designated terror groups. Official guidance makes clear the difference between protected speech and speech amounting to criminal participation in terrorism. By shutting down such messaging, Israel aims to prevent the spread of violence through impressionable youth in Judea and Samaria and beyond.
Israel acts amid ongoing scrutiny and complex legal realities in Judea and Samaria, where control is maintained under the Oslo framework to deter and respond to persistent terror threat. As Iranian proxies continue to operate across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, and online radicalization remains a key recruitment tool, the effort to monitor and disrupt digital incitement is considered essential to national and regional security.
The arrest comes as Israel continues its campaign to recover more than 100 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas—a direct result of the October 7th attack—and to deter further attacks originated or inspired by online agitation. Israel’s response is guided by security necessity, robust legal oversight, and the broader imperative of defending its people from a multi-front war rooted in Iranian hostility and executed by local proxy networks.
While international actors often debate Israel’s approach to Judea and Samaria, the evidence consistently shows that unchecked incitement online translates rapidly into real-world violence, putting civilians—Jewish and Arab alike—at grave risk. The Israeli government has reiterated its willingness to seek cooperation with technology companies and allied governments to disrupt the use of global platforms for terror purposes.
As digital tactics and terror capabilities evolve, Israeli analysts expect the cyber-domain to remain a core battlefield. With Iran openly supporting any proxies willing to wage war by all available means, Israeli vigilance—across both digital and physical spheres—will remain a decisive factor in the country’s ongoing campaign for security, stability, and the defense of its population.
