Overnight Tuesday, IDF, ISA, and Border Police forces swept the Bethlehem area in a large-scale counterterrorism operation, searching some 50 structures and arresting 19 wanted individuals including arms dealers, the military said. Troops confiscated an M-16 rifle, ammunition, and weapon parts. A separate raid in Tulkarm apprehended two more suspects and seized two pistols.
The IDF, Israel Security Agency (ISA), and Israel Border Police conducted a large-scale overnight counterterrorism sweep in and around Bethlehem on Tuesday, searching roughly 50 structures and apprehending 19 wanted suspects, among them arms dealers, according to a joint statement. Troops also confiscated an M-16 rifle with ammunition and weapon parts.
In a parallel operation in the Tulkarm area, forces arrested two additional wanted individuals and seized two pistols and ammunition.
Since the start of 2026, the military reports confiscating more than 250 weapons and 40 weapon-manufacturing machines across Judea and Samaria. The IDF says operations are ongoing to prevent terrorism and protect both local residents and Israeli civilians.
The detainees and seized weapons have been transferred to security forces for further processing.
3 developments
- StrongIsraeli forces stop weapons smuggling in Jordan Valley, arrest Bethlehem suspect
- StrongIDF: Over 240 firearms seized in Judea and Samaria since January, hidden in civilian buildings
- DevelopingPolice arrest 19 Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, including fugitives and criminal suspects
- DevelopingIsraeli security forces operate overnight in multiple West Bank cities
Source and signal
- Internal intake