IDF Arrests 50 Hamas Members in West Bank Planning Imminent Attacks Against Israel

Latest Developments

• Hamas Cells Busted Across West Bank: Israel announced on November 13 that it dismantled a Hamas terrorist network in the Bethlehem area. During 15 separate West Bank operations in recent weeks, Israeli security forces detained some 50 members of the Iran-backed terrorist group who were planning to conduct imminent terror attacks. Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security service, in cooperation with the IDF and Israeli police, also seized numerous weapons. “One of the terror cells was at an advanced stage of readiness to carry out attacks in the immediate term,” the Shin Bet stated, adding that the action of Israel’s security forces “prevented major shooting and bombing attacks that could have resulted in significant [casualties].”
• Terrorists Eliminated: On November 13, the IDF ambushed and eliminated two terrorists near the Israeli community of Karmei Tzur who were on their way to carry out an attack. The interdiction was carried out by Unit 636, an intelligence-driven covert counter-terrorism unit specializing in ambush operations.
• West Bank Readiness Drill: The IDF completed a readiness exercise in the West Bank on November 12, simulating multiple simultaneous terrorist assaults modeled on the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities in southern Israel. Among more than 40 scenarios rehearsed were mass casualty events, infiltrations into civilian communities, disruption to IDF mobilization, rescues of trapped civilians, and dense urban combat. The Judea and Samaria Division and the newly established 96th “Gilead” Division participated.

FDD Expert Response

“Night after night, the IDF is acting proactively to prevent any repeat of October 7 in the West Bank, where an attack of that scale would be even more catastrophic given how intertwined Israeli and Palestinian communities are. A major deterioration would also threaten the stability of neighboring Jordan.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“As Hamas regroups and rearms in the Gaza Strip after two years of war, decision-makers in Jerusalem should be watching the West Bank with vigilance. Hamas and its allied factions understand that igniting violence in the territory would divert Israel’s attention during a critical time of rebuilding the group’s infrastructure in Gaza. The early indicators are already visible as the relative lull in terrorist activity — largely the result of Israel’s ‘Iron Wall’ operation — is showing signs of fading. Moreover, the release of convicted terrorists to the West Bank under the ceasefire agreement may be a factor in the resurgence of organized violence in the territory.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Despite indicators that Israeli intelligence sources are paying dividends in the West Bank in stymying the capability of Palestinian armed factions to export terrorism to Israeli communities, the situation remains volatile. The stipulations of the ceasefire in Gaza, mainly the requirement for Hamas to fully disarm in future phases, should also be applied to the terrorist organization’s operatives in the West Bank. Otherwise, Israel may face a threat from Hamas, which, unlike in Gaza, where it is relatively contained, is dispersed amongst Israeli communities in the West Bank.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor 

FDD Background and Analysis

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad shows signs of renewed activity in the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman

“Profiles of notable terrorists Israel will release in ceasefire deal with Hamas,” by Joe Truzman and Ahmad Sharawi

“Israel Thwarts Major Weapons Smuggling Attempt From Iran to West Bank Terror Groups,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli operation kills 2 Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in West Bank,” by Joe Truzman