Military search operation: Israeli Defense Forces discover numerous weapons in areas of Judea and Samaria
In the heart of the Central Command region, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli Security Agency (ISA), and Israel Police have been actively dismantling terrorist infrastructure since the commencement of the recent military operations in mid-2024. The focus of these operations has been primarily in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the cities of Rafah and Deir al-Balah, as well as other parts of Gaza.
Over the past year, IDF units, including the Givati Brigade and the 162nd Division, have made significant strides in capturing militants, seizing weapons warehouses, and eliminating dozens of militants in the Rafah area. Israeli forces have also found rockets, mortars, and other military equipment during ground advances into Rafah suburbs. In Deir al-Balah, targeted strikes have resulted in the killing of senior Hamas operatives tied to rocket production and weapons manufacturing.
The operations have not been limited to Gaza. In the Samaria, Judea, and Etzion regional brigades, approximately 30 weapons have been located and confiscated. These include handguns, 'Carlo' type weapons, and various weapon parts. In the Ephraim Regional Brigade, several weapons were confiscated during a battalion-level activity in Anabta. In the Menashe Regional Brigade, seven weapons were confiscated, and a hunting rifle was located in the Binyamin Regional Brigade, in the village of Al-Ram.
The confiscated arms primarily include rockets, mortars, and various military-grade weapons used by Hamas and affiliated groups. While the operations have primarily focused on destroying terrorist infrastructure and arms storage, they have also led to extensive damage in civilian areas of Rafah and Gaza. Several large-scale demolitions of buildings and educational facilities have been conducted under IDF actions, sometimes drawing international scrutiny.
As the operations continue, the IDF, ISA, and Israel Police are currently working tirelessly to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Central Command region, with a focus on disrupting terrorist activities, the production, smuggling, and possession of illegal weapons. The counterterrorism activities are ongoing, and the security forces remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the Israeli people.
- The recent military operations in Gaza, focusing on Rafah and Deir al-Balah, are not only aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, but also extend to other areas of interest such as politics, general news, and crime-and-justice, as they involve the disruption of terrorist activities, the production, smuggling, and possession of illegal weapons.
- Beyond the war-and-conflicts in Gaza, the IDF, ISA, and Israel Police have also been actively confiscating illegal weapons in various regions across Israel, including Samaria, Judea, Etzion, Ephraim, Menashe, and Binyamin, highlighting the broader scope of their counterterrorism efforts in these areas.
