The IDF and Shin Bet announced Wednesday morning that forces had commenced a "large-scale operation" overnight designed to thwart terror in the northern Samaria region. The agencies emphasized in a joint statement that "the IDF and Shin Bet will not allow terror to establish itself in the area and are operating proactively to thwart it."
According to the military, the operation centers on the "five villages" cluster. Forces are arresting wanted suspects based on intelligence identifying a reorganization of terror groups in the sector. Troops also conducted weapons searches in the town of Tubas.
The IDF stated the operation will span several days and concentrates on five key villages – Tubas, Tamun, Far'a, Tayasir and Aqaba. Forces will arrest wanted individuals based on precise intelligence following the identification of renewed terrorist organizations operating in the area.
In Tubas, reports confirmed a military curfew, road blockades and the deployment of army checkpoints throughout the village. Government institutions, schools and kindergartens have been ordered closed for the duration of the operation.
The operation follows activity on Monday, when an Israel Police elite counterterrorism force in Nablus eliminated terrorist Abd al-Rauf Ashtiyeh. Ashtiyeh was responsible for the ramming attack in May of last year that killed Kfir Brigade fighters Staff Sgt. Eliya Hilel (20) from Tel Zion and Staff Sgt. Diego Gabriel Harsaj (20) from Tel Aviv near the community of Itamar in Samaria.
