Weapons seized, 19 arrested in overnight West Bank raids

Palestinian youths reportedly injured in clashes with soldiers; army says 5 Hamas operatives detained

By Raoul Wootliff 23 February 2016, 11:36 am Edit

Raoul Wootliff is a former Times of Israel political correspondent and Daily Briefing podcast producer.

IDF troops arrested over a dozen Palestinian terror suspects and uncovered two weapons caches during raids across the West Bank, the army said Tuesday morning.

A total of 19 Palestinian suspects were arrested, including five men described as Hamas members. Seven of those arrested are suspected of direct involvement in recent attacks on civilians and security forces, the IDF said.

During the raids soldiers seized weapons including M16 rifles, handguns, hand grenades and combat gear presumed to be held in preparation for terrorist attacks in two caches in Nablus and near Jenin.

The suspects were transferred to the Shin Bet security agency for interrogation.

Several Palestinians clashed with soldiers during operations in the West Bank town of Nablus, according to Palestinian news site Wafa.

Eight people were reportedly injured by rubber bullets fired at the youths.

The report also said that one teenager was run over by a military vehicle patrolling the streets during the raids. The army confirmed soldiers had been in the city but did not release information about clashes.

Weapons seized by IDF troops during overnight raids on West Bank towns and villages, February 22, 2016. (IDF Spokesman's Unit) — Weapons seized by IDF troops during overnight raids on West Bank towns and villages, February 22, 2016. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

The operations also included the army demolition of two homes belonging to the families of Palestinians accused of carrying out twin deadly terror attacks in November.

IDF engineers accompanied by Border Police officers destroyed the homes of Raed Masalmeh, 36, in the West Bank village of Dura, near Hebron, and Mohammed Abdel Basset al-Kharoub, 24, in village of Dir Smat, also near Hebron, the military said in a statement.

Masalmeh admitted stabbing to death Reuven Aviram, 51, and 32-year-old Aharon Yesiav, and wounding a third person in an attack on Jewish worshipers at the Panorama office building in south Tel Aviv on November 19. He has been indicted for murder at Tel Aviv District Court.

Al-Kharoub killed three people and injured seven others the same day in a shooting attack at the Gush Etzion Junction.

Both attackers are in Israeli custody.

The practice of demolishing the family homes of terrorists has been criticized by non-governmental groups, but government officials have defended its use as a deterrent against attacks. Critics claim that in addition to being a form of collective punishment, house demolitions could motivate family members of terrorists to launch attacks themselves.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.