The IDF Spokesperon’s Unit said the army and security forces have arrested 34 wanted men during overnight raids in Judea and Samaria, 24 of whom on suspicions of involvment in grassroot terrorism and violence towards civilians and security forces. The IDF arrested a total of 12 people suspected of being operatives in the terrorist organization Hamas. As part of the operation in the city of Qalqilya, army forces also seized thousands of shekels which, according to intelligence information, originate from Hamas itself.

The Israel Police spokesperson said Tuesday that an indictment had been filed against a 17-year-old resident of Beit Amin, near Qalqilya,  for the attempted stabbing of a Border Police soldier at a military base near Qalqilya on December 19. The defendant is accused of approaching the base waving a knife and advancing towards a soldier with the clear intention of stabbing him.  The latter implemented standard procedures and neutralizing the assailant. The investigation by police on the defendant revealed she had planned such an attempt for a long time and was sorry to have failed.

During the interrogation, the suspect showed investigators several drawings that depicted her intention to harm soldiers and security forces. Military Prosecutors estimated there was enough basis for an indictment on charges of attempted murder, which was subsequently presented to the Samaria Military Court.

Israel Police also reported that the Judea and Samaria police, in cooperation with other security forces, has seized five improvised weapons and a Molotov cocktail ready for use in Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, adjacent to the Israeli town of Migdal Oz. In addition, in operations in the Bani Na’im, Tarkoumia, Yatta and Adana towns, south of Hebron, police found and confiscated a shotgun, an improvised rifle, cartridges, a 5.56 ammunition box , telescopic sights, army uniforms and ammunition aplenty. Fifteen suspects were arrested.