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Security officials say terror activity in the West Bank is at its lowest level since 2011, but warn of growing friction, weapons concerns and potential escalation ahead of the holidays.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that terror levels in the West Bank are very low, the lowest since 2011, security officials warned on Sunday that Hamas headquarters in Turkey, Gaza, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, and other locations will likely attempt to advance terror plots targeting Israelis and IDF soldiers.<\/p>\n
The low level of terror activity is attributed to combined operations by the Judea and Samaria Division<\/a>, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Kobi Heller, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Israel Police and Border Police.<\/p>\n Ahead of the holidays, the Judea and Samaria Division<\/a> carried out extensive preventive operations, targeting not only suspects involved in terror activity but also incitement hubs, in an effort to minimize the potential for attacks in the area.<\/p>\n According to security officials, “the IDF enjoys broad freedom of action in Judea and Samaria, especially after it captured the refugee camps in the West Bank, established a presence there, and built supporting infrastructure for rapid activity. In addition, outposts are being built that will strengthen the hold.”<\/p>\n Another development security officials view positively is the extensive scope of terror-prevention operations carried out on the ground and in the air<\/a>. According to IDF data, five terrorists were eliminated by Israeli forces in various incidents over the past week.<\/p>\nIDF expands preventive operations amid rising friction<\/h3>\n