Judea and Samaria, Israel — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in a series of coordinated operations this week, destroyed a significant bomb-making facility in the city of Tulkarem, seizing over 200 improvised explosive devices and 150 kilograms of explosive materials. The mission marks a critical step in Israeli efforts to prevent attacks orchestrated by Iranian-backed Hamas and its affiliates, as part of the ongoing, multi-front war against terror groups operating in the region.
During the operation led by the IDF’s Kfir Brigade, combat units working under the Ephraim Regional Brigade located and dismantled a sophisticated laboratory in Tulkarem, which intelligence sources identified as a manufacturing and storage hub for lethal weaponry. IDF officials reported the facility contained hundreds of ready-to-use explosive charges of varying types—a threat described as both immediate and severe to local Israeli communities and security forces.
“This lab represented a strategic asset for terror networks, designed to supply devices for large-scale attacks against Israeli targets,” security spokespeople said. The IDF confirmed that all explosives and raw materials were destroyed on-site with controlled demolitions, eliminating an imminent danger.
The raid on Tulkarem occurred against the backdrop of a wider escalation of violence across Judea and Samaria since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacre, an event that remains the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust. In the subsequent months, terror factions—including Hamas, directly supported by Iran—have sought to intensify campaigns targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel by establishing weapon caches and bomb-making sites in densely populated areas.
Expanded Operations: Arrests, Weapons Seizures, and Intelligence Gains
As part of an expanded security crackdown, Israeli forces conducted additional operations in Beita, in the Shomron Regional Brigade, focused on disrupting terror infrastructure and apprehending suspects linked to recent attacks. Three wanted individuals were detained, including one allegedly responsible for an explosive attack in Beita that left a reservist from the 9221 Battalion severely wounded two weeks ago. According to security officials, this suspect’s arrest is expected to yield critical intelligence on the networks coordinating attacks in northern Samaria.
Nationwide, the IDF, together with Israel Police and Shin Bet, arrested 18 individuals suspected of terror activity and confiscated illegal weaponry in a series of joint nighttime raids. These pre-emptive actions, officials say, are vital for protecting Israeli communities and maintaining stability prior to upcoming national and religious holidays—periods historically targeted for major attacks by terror groups seeking maximum impact.
The ongoing operations are informed by real-time intelligence, advanced surveillance, and data-sharing between security agencies, exemplifying the IDF’s commitment to precision and ethical warfare. Throughout, special emphasis is placed on limiting civilian harm, even as terror groups persist in using homes, schools, and mosques to conceal weapons and operatives—a strategy the IDF denounces as a gross violation of both ethical and legal norms.
Iranian Influence and the Regional Terror Threat
The proliferation of bomb factories and weapons stockpiles in Judea and Samaria is directly linked to a broader campaign by Iran and its proxies to destabilize the region and undermine Israel’s sovereignty. Hamas, working in tandem with Islamic Jihad and other Tehran-backed factions, has received significant logistical, financial, and training support from Iran, with the aim of replicating the mass-casualty tactics that defined the October 7 massacre.
Israeli intelligence has documented extensive efforts by these terror groups to smuggle weapons, import advanced bomb-making expertise, and exploit porous borders. By embedding infrastructure within civilian populations, terror networks seek to shield themselves from Israeli counter-strikes and incite international criticism of Israel’s defensive operations.
Humanitarian Considerations and Commitment to Law
Throughout every operation, the IDF reaffirms its dual commitment to defending Israeli lives and adhering to the highest humanitarian standards. Each raid is executed only after precise intelligence gathering, with operational plans tailored to minimize risk to uninvolved civilians. In official statements, the Israeli government emphasizes the moral and legal obligation to act against those who exploit civilian infrastructure for terror purposes.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently reiterated, “We cannot stand by while our enemies stockpile weapons meant to kill innocents. These operations are essential to securing our communities and preserving stability.”
Wider Regional Context: Israel’s Response to the Axis of Resistance
The destruction of the Tulkarem laboratory and the concurrent wave of arrests and weapons seizures cannot be viewed in isolation. They form part of Israel’s comprehensive effort to counter the Axis of Resistance, a coalition of Iranian-directed groups including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and allied terror factions in Iraq and Syria. This alliance openly declares its objective of annihilating the Jewish State and is responsible for dramatic escalations in violence over the past year.
The October 7 attack—marked by executions, sexual violence, mutilations, and the mass abduction of hostages by Hamas terrorists—has irrevocably shaped Israeli security doctrine. The threat of further atrocities, compounded by the recovery of large-scale bomb factories such as that in Tulkarem, underscores the necessity and urgency behind ongoing defensive actions.
Deterrence and Protection: The Role of Ongoing Counter-Terror Measures
Experts argue that sustained preemption of attacks through direct action—neutralizing laboratories, arresting operatives, and intercepting weapons shipments—is the only way to prevent catastrophic violence. By undermining the terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, Israel simultaneously protects its citizens and displays a deterrent posture intended to warn hostile actors.
International Reactions: Support and Challenges
The United States and global partners have consistently affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense against the Iranian-orchestrated terror onslaught. American officials continue to provide intelligence, diplomatic, and occasionally logistical support for Israel’s mission, while also urging strict adherence to humanitarian law. The rising tempo of counter-terror operations reflects an international understanding of the reality Israel faces and the necessity for action against those plotting mass-casualty attacks.
Moving Forward: Vigilance and Resilience
Despite significant counter-terror successes, Israeli defense leaders caution that the battle against entrenched terror networks in Judea and Samaria is far from over. The region’s complex geography and the persistent use of civilians as shields require ongoing vigilance and adaptation. The Israeli security establishment remains committed to the principle that every laboratory dismantled and every operative arrested is a blow to those seeking to destabilize the region and eradicate Israel.
The IDF, under Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has pledged relentless pursuit of terror architects wherever they may hide: “Our duty is clear—strike at the infrastructure of terror, restore security, and uphold the values that define Israel as a sovereign democracy.”
As the multi-front war with Iran and its proxies continues, the developments in Tulkarem and throughout Judea and Samaria serve as a testament to Israel’s resolve, professionalism, and unwavering focus on the twin goals of security and ethical conduct. The outcome of these efforts not only determines the fate of the region but also resonates globally as a model for defending democracy against violent extremism.
