Over 130 wanted individuals were arrested in Judea and Samaria over the weekend, including Hamas operatives, weapons dealers, and terrorists planning imminent attacks, according to Israeli media. The home of the terrorist from Friday's shooting was sealed, and another home was mapped. Dozens of inciters were also arrested amid a rise in incitement on Palestinian social media networks.
Israeli security forces arrested over 130 wanted individuals across Judea and Samaria over the weekend, Israeli media reported Sunday evening, bringing the tally of a sweeping counterterror operation to more than 130 suspects. The figure significantly exceeds earlier reports of 70 to 80 arrests, as the operation expanded from the immediate aftermath of Friday's deadly shooting attack to a broader sweep. Among those detained were Hamas operatives, weapons dealers, and terrorists planning imminent attacks, according to Israeli media. As part of the operation, forces sealed the home of the terrorist who carried out Friday's shooting and mapped a second terrorist's home for potential demolition.
The operation began on Friday following the shooting attack near Tel in Samaria, which killed two Israelis. On Saturday, initial reports from the Palestinian Prisoners' Club cited by Abu Ali Express said about 80 Palestinians had been arrested overnight, over 40 of them from Tel. The IDF later confirmed over 70 arrests and said hundreds of additional individuals were questioned (The Zioneer, Sat 07:59 Jerusalem). By Saturday morning, undercover units had released footage of a suspect arrested in his bed, and the Border Police deployed hundreds of additional fighters (The Zioneer, Sat 07:59 Jerusalem). The operation continued through the weekend, with the arrest count rising to over 130 by Sunday evening.
The sweep is part of a larger sustained campaign against terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. As The Zioneer reported, Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth vowed a 'wide thwarting operation' following Friday's attack (Fri Jul 24, 18:10 Jerusalem). Recent IDF weekly summaries have consistently reported substantial arrest numbers, reflecting the intensified security posture. Since early 2026, over 250 firearms have been seized in the region (The Zioneer, Jun 23).
Security forces remain on high alert. The entry of Palestinian workers into Israeli communities has been suspended until Tuesday, and forces continue to operate on main axes and in the seam zone against illegal infiltrators. The threat of copycat attacks remains, as dozens of inciters were arrested amid a rise in incitement on Palestinian social media networks. The home of the Friday terrorist has been sealed, but further demolitions are pending mapping.
12 developments
- ConfirmedSecurity forces arrest 19 wanted suspects, seize weapons in overnight Bethlehem operation
- DevelopingPolice arrest 19 Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, including fugitives and criminal suspects
- StrongIDF provides additional details on overnight sweep: 5 arrested in Hebron after gunfire, 4 Hamas suspects in Tulkarm
- StrongSecurity establishment on peak alert in Judea and Samaria amid immediate concern over Hamas attack plans
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