IDF Arrests West Bank Terror Cell Producing Rockets To Launch at Israel

Latest Developments

Rocket-Producing Terror Cell Busted: The IDF announced on September 19 that it had arrested three members of an armed terror cell in the West Bank producing crude rockets intended to be launched at Israeli targets. Dozens of rocket components, including two completed projectiles without mounted warheads, were discovered and destroyed during the raid in the Ramallah area of the West Bank, along with explosive material and other evidence of the cell’s attempts to launch the rockets. At a separate location, IDF forces discovered a lathe used to make the rocket components.
Raid Comes After Short Rocket Launch: The raid came after security camera footage showed the launch of a crude rocket from the Palestinian West Bank village of Kafr Ni’ma near Ramallah, which traveled several hundred meters. The launch was carried out sometime during the past week by the same terror cell arrested by Israeli authorities on September 19. Israeli forces later discovered the projectile, which was not fitted with any explosive warhead.
Sa’ar Blames Palestinian Authority: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the Palestinian Authority (PA) for failing to act against the rocket-producing terror cell. “Despite its commitments, the PA is not fighting terrorism,” he stated, adding that the incident is indicative of the “enormous danger in establishing a ‘Palestinian state.’”

FDD Expert Response

“It’s been 24 years since the first crude rocket was fired from Gaza. That weapon evolved into the strategic arsenal used during October 7. Israel must not enable the West Bank to develop similar capabilities.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“So far, Israel’s intelligence and security services have managed to disrupt efforts by terrorists in the West Bank to build a functioning rocket through preemptive raids, arrests, and the dismantling of clandestine workshops. Nevertheless, should terrorists succeed in producing even a crude but functioning rocket arsenal, the security equation would shift dramatically, bringing Tel Aviv and Jerusalem’s suburbs into closer range for terrorists to target.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The uniform production of tail fins and rocket bodies in the cache of would-be explosive projectiles seized by the IDF underlines a growing capability among West Bank terrorist organizations to procure more advanced rockets. It also highlights a significant security failure by the Palestinian Authority in preventing the establishment of advanced terror cells in its jurisdiction — a troubling sign for the viability of a future Palestinian state.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor