January 21, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘Iron Wall’: Israel Swoops on West Bank in New War Goal

January 21, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘Iron Wall’: Israel Swoops on West Bank in New War Goal

Latest Developments

  • Air, Land Assault: A day after the IDF chief announced imminent West Bank operations, Israeli troops, backed by helicopter gunships and drones, swept into the city of Jenin on January 21 in a hunt for Palestinian terrorists. At least eight locals were killed in the ensuing clashes, while dozens of others were wounded — including, the Palestinian Authority (PA) said, some of its security officers in the tinderbox town. PA security forces had recently concluded a monthlong counterterrorism operation in the city. The IDF codenamed its latest operation “Iron Wall,” which in the original Hebrew recalled the 2002 invasion of PA-controlled cities in the West Bank to uproot terrorists behind a wave of suicide bombings.
  • Systematic Action Against Iranian Proxies: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation was initiated “on the directive of the security cabinet” and was being conducted by units from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police with the goal of “bolstering security in Judea and Samaria.” Over the 15-month, multifront war against Iran and its terrorist proxies, Iran has been working to bolster terrorist cells and destabilize the West Bank. Netanyahu added that Israel will continue “our systematic and determined action against the Iranian axis wherever it extends — Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Judea and Samaria.”  
  • Radicals Rampage: An overnight rampage by Israeli extremists in the Palestinian villages of Al-Funduq and Jinsafut resulted in extensive damage to property as well as a confrontation with security forces during which a policeman opened fire, wounding two suspects. Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the rioters and said Israelis who harass Palestinians should be prosecuted as criminals. On January 17, Katz ordered the release of all Israelis from the West Bank who had been detained without charges under so-called administrative detention, a measure invoked on the basis of sensitive intelligence information that cannot be brought to open court. Separately, President Donald Trump followed his January 20 inauguration by overturning a series of measures passed by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, including sanctions against Israelis accused of West Bank violence.

FDD Expert Analysis

“Israel is applying the most critical lesson from October 7: never allow an enemy to build the capabilities needed to inflict catastrophic harm. Iran is pouring resources into fueling terrorism in the West Bank, a threat that will be further exacerbated in the coming weeks as Palestinian terrorists, released from Israeli jails as part of the Gaza ceasefire, return to the area. At the same time, Israeli radicals who engage in violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is particularly crucial now that President Trump has rightly annulled a U.S. sanctions program instituted by President Biden — an unprecedented measure that, for the first time in U.S. sanctions history, established a sanctions program to target a U.S. ally.” Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Israel has launched a new counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank to help bring security to the area and prevent terrorist groups from increasing their threats. For the last two years, Iran-backed smuggling attempts have led to large numbers of weapons flowing to terrorists in places such as Jenin. These terrorist groups are also increasingly using explosive devices to attack Israeli forces. This requires increased operations to prevent the terrorists from turning areas like Jenin into a new Gaza-type threat.” Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

‘Significant Operations in Judea and Samaria’: Amid Gaza Respite, Israel Sees a New Front Emerging,” FDD Flash Brief

IDF Strikes Hamas Cell in Jenin Amid PA Crackdown,” FDD Flash Brief

More than 1,000 Terror Attacks in West Bank and Jerusalem Thwarted in 2024,” FDD Flash Brief

Lame-duck Biden ramps up sanctions on Israelis — and eases up on terrorists,” by Mark Dubowitz and Eugene Kontorovich

Issues:

Issues:

Israel Israel at War

Topics:

Topics:

Iran Israel Syria Lebanon Palestinians Joe Biden Donald Trump Israel Defense Forces Yemen Gaza City West Bank Jerusalem Mark Dubowitz Benjamin Netanyahu Palestinian National Authority Shin Bet Jenin Hebrew Israel Katz Eugene Kontorovich