Security forces arrested 40 operatives and seized weapons used to plan attacks on civilians.
Israeli security forces in recent weeks broke up a major Hamas terror network in the Judean city of Bethlehem, including a cell in the advanced stages of preparing an attack, according to an Israel Police statement on Thursday.
About 40 operatives were arrested in more than 15 separate operations conducted by reservists from the Israel Defense Forces’ Etzion Brigade, along with forces from the IDF’s Duvdevan Unit and the Israel Border Police’s Counterterrorism Unit (Yamam). The Judea and Samaria District Police and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) also took part in the joint operation.
In addition to the arrests, weapons were also confiscated.