IDF Locates Rockets During West Bank Raid in Tulkarem

Latest Developments

Crude Rockets Discovered: The IDF revealed on December 9 that it had uncovered three crude rockets in the West Bank city of Tulkarem during a raid in November. The projectiles, in various production stages, were located following interrogations of several terror suspects arrested in Tulkarem during counterterrorism operations in recent months. One of the rockets was fitted with an explosive warhead, according to a joint statement by the IDF, Israeli police, and Israel’s domestic intelligence service, the Shin Bet.
Suspects Arrested for Attacks on Troops: One of the detained terrorists who led Israeli forces to the rockets was Ahmad Abu Samara, who was arrested for placing an explosive device on an IDF Panther armored personnel carrier (APC) in September, wounding two soldiers. Abu Samara previously attempted a similar attack on an IDF David armored vehicle and was involved in a bombing attack that wounded a former IDF regional brigade colonel in December 2024. Another detainee in the case of the rockets was Khalil Kharisheh, who was involved in planning bombing attacks and supplying components for and preparing explosive charges.
Iran Assessed To Be Spearheading Rocket Development in West Bank: During the last several months, the IDF has discovered crude rockets throughout the West Bank on numerous occasions, including another seizure in Tulkarem on September 24. Also in September, the IDF arrested three members of an armed terror cell near Ramallah that was producing rockets intended to be launched at Israeli targets.Following the two incidents, Israeli security officials reportedly assessed that “foreign elements, led by Iran,” are working to establish rocket launching capabilities in the West Bank that could target central Israeli cities like Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, Ra’anana, Netanya, Afula, and Beit She’an.

FDD Expert Response

“For nearly two decades, terrorists in the West Bank have sought to replicate the rocket threat long entrenched in Gaza. Their efforts to fire projectiles at Israeli targets have so far been crude and largely ineffective, but the persistence behind them is telling. What should worry decision-makers in Jerusalem is the learning curve that failed attempts to produce working rockets represent. If these groups eventually acquire the technical capacity and infrastructure to manufacture operable rockets, the West Bank could witness the same force-multiplying effect that transformed Gaza’s armed factions into a persistent strategic threat.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The IDF’s discovery of a rocket fitted with an explosive warhead in Tulkarem should paint a troubling picture of the West Bank as a threat vector against nearby Israeli communities. More specifically, the seizure of the explosive projectile represents the first time in recent months that Palestinian terrorists have succeeded in developing the homemade rockets to this relatively advanced stage. The intent is clear. Palestinian terrorists are seeking to develop more advanced capabilities on central Israel’s doorstep.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor