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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), carried out a successful airstrike on a terrorist cell operating in Kabatiya, a town in the northern West Bank, on Friday.
According to an IDF statement, the targeted cell had been planning an imminent attack in the region, which was neutralized during the operation.
The strike is the latest development in the IDF’s wide-ranging counterterrorism campaign in the West Bank, named “Operation Iron Wall.”
The operation, which began last week in Jenin, has seen the elimination of several terrorist operatives and the apprehension of numerous individuals tied to militant activities.
The operation, which has already resulted in significant gains, is expected to continue for an extended period, with no specific timeline for its conclusion.
The operation is being carried out by a multi-faceted Israeli military and security force, including the IDF’s elite Duvdevan, Egoz, and Battalion 90, as well as specialized engineering and special forces units.
The campaign also has support from drones and helicopters, along with reported tank deployments around Jenin, though not directly within the city.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar recently visited the area for a situational assessment, underscoring the seriousness and scale of the operation.
“We are in a multi-front campaign—but right now, it’s Samaria’s time,” Bar said during his visit.
His remarks reflect the ongoing focus on dismantling terrorist cells in the northern West Bank, a region that has seen an uptick in violence and militant activities in recent months.
Shin Bet chief Bar further emphasized that the operation’s objective is not just to defend but to defeat terrorism at its core.
“You can’t defeat terrorism through defense alone. I think the value of completing the mission has very significant benefits,” he stated.
His comments underline the operation’s broader goal of weakening terrorist infrastructure and preventing future attacks targeting Israeli civilians.
So far, the IDF has reported significant successes in the campaign. A total of 15 terrorists have been killed, 30 wanted individuals have been apprehended, and a significant cache of weapons has been seized.
These achievements come as part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to suppress militant activity in the West Bank, particularly in areas like Jenin and Kabatiya, which have become hotbeds of Palestinian terrorism.
While the operation has drawn criticism from some Palestinian factions, claiming it escalates tensions in an already volatile region, the Israeli government has justified its actions as necessary to safeguard its citizens from growing threats.
The continued presence of Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank is seen by Israeli officials as a direct security challenge that requires aggressive and sustained military intervention.
As Operation Iron Wall progresses, Israel’s military and security agencies remain committed to eradicating terrorist infrastructure and preventing future attacks.
With the operation likely to continue for an extended period, the IDF’s counterterrorism efforts in the West Bank are expected to intensify, with an eye toward long-term stability in the region.