TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – In a significant overnight counter-terrorism operation, Israeli security forces apprehended 16 individuals suspected of involvement in terror activities across Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). The arrests, conducted on Tuesday night, July 29, 2025, and early Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025, also led to the confiscation of illegal weapons and ammunition.
Among those arrested were nine individuals suspected of involvement in recent stone-throwing incidents targeting Israeli civilians in Judea. These suspects were captured in the Umm al-Khair area, located near Hebron, a region that has seen heightened tensions and clashes recently. Stone-throwing can pose a serious threat to life, particularly to vehicles traveling at speed.
Further extending their reach, a joint operation by the Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was conducted in the village of Jaba in Samaria. During this operation, security forces successfully located and confiscated a cache of weapons and ammunition, disrupting potential terror activities and preventing future attacks. The Shin Bet is Israel’s internal security and counter-intelligence agency, responsible for safeguarding state security, exposing terrorist networks, and providing intelligence for counter-terrorism operations. The IDF is Israel’s military force, conducting both defensive and offensive operations.
These arrests and confiscations are part of ongoing efforts by Israeli security forces to maintain stability and prevent terror attacks in Judea and Samaria. The region, known as the West Bank internationally, has remained a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with frequent security operations aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure and apprehending those involved in violent activities against Israeli citizens and security personnel. Recent reports indicate a continuous effort by Israeli forces to counter various forms of terrorism, including the apprehension of numerous suspects and the seizure of weapons and terror-linked funds across the territory.
The precise affiliations of the arrested individuals and the types of weapons seized were not immediately disclosed, as investigations are likely ongoing.