IDF and Shin Bet Seize Rocket and Weapons in Aqaba Counterterrorism Raid
Israeli security forces dismantled a Hamas terror cell in the West Bank village of Aqaba. During the joint operation, forces detained ten suspects and uncovered a rocket, an M16 rifle, and explosives.
Israeli security forces continue their efforts to prevent terror organizations from establishing a foothold in the West Bank. In a joint statement released today by the Israel Police, the IDF Spokesperson, and the Shin Bet, security forces announced the completion of an operation to dismantle a Hamas terror infrastructure in the village of Aqaba, under the jurisdiction of the Menashe Regional Brigade. The most notable finding during the operation, indicating the current trends of terror groups in the area, was the seizure of a rocket.
Officers from the Yamam counterterrorism unit, alongside IDF troops, raided the village to neutralize a local cell of Hamas operatives. During the activity, forces detained ten terrorists suspected of planning various terror attacks.
Seizure of Rocket and Explosives
During searches conducted at one of the locations in the village, forces located a rocket without a launcher. Although the system was not ready for immediate launch, its presence indicates a continuous effort by Hamas to transfer knowledge and steep-trajectory fire capabilities into the West Bank, aiming to challenge Israeli military freedom of operation in the area.
The operational activity expanded following intelligence gathered directly from the field. A rapid interrogation of one of the detained suspects yielded immediate results, as he disclosed another location where weapons were hidden. Upon arriving at the designated spot, forces discovered weapons including an M16 rifle and significant quantities of explosives, which were reportedly intended for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Following the discovery, Border Police bomb disposal experts from the West Bank division were dispatched to the scene. The experts safely handled the rocket, rifle, and explosives, destroying the hazardous materials on-site. The defense establishment concluded the operation by stating that security forces will continue to take proactive and offensive action against terror infrastructure throughout the region to ensure civilian security.
