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.

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In a disturbing development, Hamas has threatened the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, following a successful rescue operation by Israeli forces. The terrorist organization's military wing spokesman, Abu Obeida, revealed "new directives" for guards holding captives, suggesting potential harm to hostages if Israeli troops approach their locations.

On Monday evening, the Telegram channel of Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida released a statement that sent shockwaves through Israel. "We have clearly stated that following the incident in Nuseirat, new instructions were issued to our fighters responsible for guarding the prisoners in case the army approaches their detention sites," the message read. This ominous declaration from the terrorist organization implied that guards had been instructed to potentially harm or kill hostages if IDF forces drew near their hiding places.

The statement comes in the wake of six hostages being murdered just before the IDF could save them. The "incident in Nuseirat" refers to the daring operation carried out on June 8, where Israeli forces successfully rescued hostages Shlomi Ziv, Noa Argamani, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan from Hamas captivity. The rescue took place near the bustling market of Nuseirat, a town in central Gaza. At 11:00 AM, in a coordinated effort, Shin Bet and Yamam forces simultaneously stormed two buildings in the camp, freeing the four captives.

The operation was not without its costs. During intense firefights between Israeli forces and terrorists, Yamam team commander and operative Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, who led the initial breach, was critically wounded. Tragically, Zmora succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He was posthumously promoted to Chief Superintendent in recognition of his bravery and sacrifice.

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The Israel Police published Thursday afternoon footage of the daring military mission in Nablus earlier in the day in which the two Hamas terrorists responsible for the murder of Lucy Dee and her daughters Maia and Rina were killed.

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During the raid, which was conducted by the Yamam counterterrorism unit, troops fired a rocket at the building where the terrorists were hiding in order to flush them out into the open.

Video: Israel Police

The footage showed officers launching grenades at the building.

Hassan Katnani and Ma'ad Masr were both killed, as was Ibrahim Hura, identified by the IDF as a collaborator with the terrorists.

Video: Palestinian media

Earlier in the day, footage circulating on Palestinian social media showed what in hindsight was revealed to be Israeli fighters walking through Nablus in disguise, some as Arab men and some as women wearing hijabs.

Leo Dee, Lucy's husband and the father of Maia and Rina, said his three other children "were comforted to hear that the Israeli security forces have eliminated" the terrorists responsible for the murder of their loved ones.

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For the first time in Israel's history on Wednesday, the country officially named a national counter-terrorism unit. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett bestowed the honor on the Israel Police's Counter Terror Unit (YAMAM), an official designation that comes with both additional responsibilities and funding.

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The decision was based on analysis spearheaded by the National Security Council in recent years, which recommended advancing the issue. To this end, 10 million shekels $3.16 million) will be allocated from the Prime Minister's Office budget in 2022 to bolster the unit, boost its resources, add personnel and improve training, especially weaponry and training infrastructure.

The unit will be made officially responsible for the country's counter-terrorism operations, for the purpose of hostage rescue, particularly dangerous arrest raids and more. Even before this designation, the 47-year-old unit had already assumed the lead on such efforts in Israel and Judea and Samaria.

YAMAM combines a range of unique capabilities and techniques for fighting terrorism and complex criminal incidents. The unit regularly collaborates with Israel's intelligence agencies and other elite units, while its rich experience in the field has made it a world-leader in the area of counter-terrorism operations.

Public Security Minister Omer Barlev, Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel, Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana, Israel Police Inspector-General Yaakov Shabtai, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, Border Police Commander Amir Cohen, current YAMAM commander, unit members and their families, and other senior officials attended the ceremony.

"Formalizing the status of the YAMAM as the national counter-terrorism unit is an important force multiplier that will in many ways design the future of the unit for years to come," Bennett said at the ceremony.

"The goal is for the YAMAM to be the best counter-terrorism unit in the world – and you are the right people for the mission," he said. The final decision on the matter will be brought before the security cabinet "soon," the prime minister said.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he welcomed the "important" decision.

"Over the years, the unit has developed unique capabilities that have become a very important national resource in the war on terror," he said.

Barlev said: "The declaration… should have been made a long time ago, and we are here to do it – better late than never. The unit is currently at the forefront of the operational activities of the Israel Police, the IDF and the Shin Bet… and is required for the most complex and important actions that are carried out.

"Every year, its members are directly responsible for saving the lives of dozens and hundreds of Israelis, most of whom are not even aware that they were in danger. I thank the Prime Minister for the important decision that will help improve the security of the country's citizens and do great justice by its very nature."

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As Yehuda Guetta, 19, was taking his final breaths at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva on Wednesday, Israel Police counter-terror and Shin Bet security agency  personnel were approaching the hideout of the terrorist Muntasir Shalabi in Silwad, and called for him to exit the building.

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The surprised Shalabi came out with his hands raised, and after a brief interrogation in the field, he was transferred to a hospital for treatment and then to an undisclosed Shin Bet facility.

The terrorist attack at Tapuach Junction occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Sunday. Shalabi, who was driving, stopped near the hitchhiking spot at the junction and shot toward a group of students from Itamar Yeshiva. Two of them were critically wounded, one was lightly wounded.

The Shin Bet agents and Israel Police's elite counter-terror troops launched their manhunt shortly after the attack. Eyewitnesses were questioned, the many closed-circuit cameras at the scene were examined, human intelligence sources were activated and a special command and control center was established. The Shin Bet promptly acquired relatively solid information about the attacker's identity, Muntasir Shalabi, 44, from Turmusaya.

The Shin Bet also knew the location of the vehicle Shalabi had driven during the attack. Yet despite the temptation to approach the vehicle and run a forensic check on it, commanders opted to wait due to the risks involved, because the Shin Bet already had evidence pointing to Shalabi as the attacker.

Palestinians later torched the vehicle in an effort to erase the evidence. During their manhunt, security forces arrested 12 people suspected of aiding and abetting the terrorists, some of whom have already been released from custody.

On Wednesday, security forces received a tip that Shalabi was hiding out on a farm in the village of Aqraba. Israel Police counter-terror officers and Shin Bet agents who had arrived at the scene circled the structure and began pressuring Shalabi to exit. Several long minutes later it became clear that Shalabi was not there, although the Shin Bet is certain that at one point he was in fact inside before managing to escape.

On Thursday afternoon, the Shin Bet received another tip, this time indicating that Shalabi was in Silwad. Counter-terror police and Shin Bet teams were again dispatched to the scene and called on Shalabi to exit with his hands up just as Guetta was taking his last breaths.

When the surprised terrorist came out with his hands over his head, the Israeli security personnel realized he was wounded, likely from the shots fired by IDF soldiers who had pursued him immediately after the attack. The belief is that Shalabi received medical treatment while on the run.

Even at this early stage of the investigation, it is obvious that Shalabi does not fit the profile of the classic terrorist. He is relatively mature, 44, a father of seven, holds American citizenship, and a member of upper middle class.

Israeli security officials are trying to understand what motivated him to perpetrate the attack, as well as locate those who helped him escape and arrest them.

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