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Israeli security forces located and seized a large rocket cache during a special overnight operation in Beitunia, near Ramallah, between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The operation was jointly conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Border Police, and the Shin Bet security agency.
According to the IDF, the forces discovered 15 rockets in various stages of production at the site, in addition to explosives, arms, and other weaponry. The Border Police bomb squad later dismantled the explosives and secured the scene.
The raid came after weeks of intelligence-gathering led by the Shin Bet. A terror cell involved in manufacturing rockets in the Ramallah area had been apprehended last week, and information obtained during that investigation led security forces to the weapons cache discovered in Beitunia.
An IDF spokesperson stated that the rockets were intended for use in planned attacks against Israeli targets. The weapons seized overnight are believed to be linked to the same cell dismantled earlier, marking a significant blow to the group’s operational capabilities.
Security officials stressed that the discovery highlighted a worrying development in militant tactics in the West Bank, where attempts to establish local rocket production networks have increased in recent years. Unlike smuggled weapons, locally produced rockets allow militant groups greater independence and operational flexibility.
Residents of Beitunia reported heavy military presence overnight, with Israeli forces surrounding several areas before the cache was uncovered. No clashes were reported during the operation, and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The IDF emphasized that the mission was part of ongoing efforts to prevent the escalation of armed activity in the West Bank. “This seizure prevented the use of rockets that could have caused significant harm to Israeli civilians and soldiers,” the army said in a statement.
In recent months, Israeli forces have intensified operations targeting weapons production facilities in the West Bank. Security experts note that while the majority of rocket fire against Israel originates from Gaza, growing efforts to produce rockets in the West Bank pose a new security challenge.
The Shin Bet underscored that dismantling the Beitunia weapons cache sends a clear message that attempts to establish local rocket production in the West Bank will be met with swift counteraction.
The latest raid is part of a broader campaign by Israeli forces to disrupt militant infrastructure in the region. Over the past year, security operations have led to numerous arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of explosives, rifles, and other contraband.
While the IDF hailed the success of the Beitunia operation, security officials cautioned that militant groups remain determined to expand their arsenal. Continued intelligence cooperation and rapid response operations are expected to remain at the core of Israeli counterterrorism strategy in the West Bank.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members