IDF located three crude rockets in West Bank raid

IDF troops located three crude rockets, in various stages of preparation, in the West Bank city of Tulkarem last month, according to the military.

The rockets were located following the interrogation of several terror operatives from Tulkarem who were detained in recent months, the IDF, Shin Bet, and police say in a joint statement.

One of those detained, Ahmad Abu Samra, had placed an explosive device on an IDF Panther armored personnel carrier (APC) in September, wounding two soldiers; attempted a similar attack on a David light armored vehicle; and in December 2024 was involved in a bombing attack that lightly wounded the then-commander of the Menashe Regional Brigade, Col. Ayub Kayuf, security authorities say.

Another suspect detained in the case is Khalil Kharisheh, a resident of Tulkarem, who, according to Israel, was involved in advancing bombing attacks, including the one in which Kayuf was injured, and supplying components and materials for the bombs.

Following the interrogation of the suspects, the IDF says that on November 17, troops raided a site in Tulkarem, where three makeshift rockets were located, along with explosive devices, launching systems, “bomb-making parts, and materials for preparing explosive charges.”

The rockets were at various stages of preparation, with one including an explosive warhead, the military says.

In recent years, there have been several attempts by Palestinian terror groups to develop and launch crude rockets from the West Bank at Israeli settlements and at Israel, though with little to no success.